Health Services Administrative Credential...

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Credential Programs

Health Services - Administrative  (15 units/12 weeks)

• Outline: click here to view
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• The Administrative Credential in Health Services is designed to help students develop a “systems approach” to monitoring health services, reflecting the vision articulated within the Performance Standards and health protocol that strong systems are essential to maintaining program quality. Under this approach, students will learn how to identify a failure within health service area and identify the underlying problems in which federal review teams might identify as a non-compliance finding. The credential focuses on how systems, services, and health activities interact to create and maintain quality support and services. The focus of the credential will be on both the child and family, using the regulations and best practices to develop procedures and policies. This credential is a holistic, multifaceted credential that allows students to learn how to integrate quality health support systems and services. The credential uses the health milestones as the core of the credential. Students learn the provisions of establishing a Head Start-based health program that emphasizes a programmatic way of observing and recognizing health and behavioral changes in staff, children and families and directing them to the best support services. 

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1.	Develop health policies and procedures that support the healthy goals for children, families and staff
2.	Link children and families to ongoing sources of continuous, accessible health care
3.	Integrate health within the Head Start program curriculum
4.	Respond to questions about strategies to address community health problems
5.	Ensure center environments support a healthy child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development
6.	Engage parents in identifying and accessing health services and resources
7.	Support parents as advocates for their child's health
8.	Support efforts to improve health in the community
9.	Develop comprehensive health services for children and pregnant mothers
10.	Educate providers and other professionals on the needs and issues of Head Start children and families
11.	Advocate for community system changes that support the health of children and families

• A credential at HS University is an "educational process" of establishing the qualifications of professionals in Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head Start, American Indian/Alaska Native and Early Childhood employees.  The process consists of the attainment of a specific skill level and knowledge of regulations and the assessing of the candidate's educational background and experience. A credential is then awarded to the professional who meets the standards set for the credential.  It signifies that a student has enrolled, attended and successfully completed the requirements of a specific mental health services plan of study within a Head Start program.  The administrator credential process usually takes about 12 weeks to complete and requires 15 units.

• The credential in Health Services Administrator Credential provides a basic academic foundation and professional development for disabilities staff. An important professional credential and license offers Head Start nutrition workers an opportunity to advance their careers and serve children and families more effectively. A license is a "collegiate diploma". It is a post-secondary academic process of establishing the qualifications of professionals working in Health Services.

• Students are prepared to communicate effectively, learn and use new technology, think critically and creatively and demonstrate sound disabilities policies.  The courses are designed for students who intend to pursue advanced study in Health Services or a related discipline. 

• Students are required to complete the following:

  Complete 15 units or 5 credits

  Complete online examination and documentation process

  Complete a Prior Learning Assessment portfolio packet

  Pay fee ( fees are determined by state in which student resides)

  Complete award review process

  Admission Criteria

  Candidates for admission to the credential program must be employed in a Head Start program and possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

  Application Deadline

  The deadline for Fall session starts is September.  The next session starts 6 weeks after that date.

  The following list a suggested course of study. Students must complete 5 credits/15 units in order to earn a certificate. Please contact your advisor and student representative for an individual Professional Development Plan (Plans consist of a detailed program of study requirement and Proposal for Tuition payment).  Students must complete an application and pay application fee in order to receive Professional Development Plans of Study.

  Course of Study

  Course #	Description	Credits	Units
  HS101	Managing Comprehensive Health Services	3	10
  70-101	Health Services Exam	1	5
  HS100	Health Services Administrative Course	4	15

• Program Length

This course is 12 weeks in length and requires 15 credits unless specified otherwise. HS University students are Head Start working adults who can earn their certificate at their own pace and on their own schedule.  Most students attend part-time, and the normal time to complete this program is 12 weeks.

• Program Cost
• Cost information for HS University program is available at http://www.hsuniversity.org/cost_fees.html.