SARA THURSTON
Eau Claire,WI
Summary
Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nutrition Specialist/Program Coordinator-CACFP
Western Dairyland Eoc
07.2023 - Current
- Facilitate regular meetings with team members to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and brainstorm solutions for ongoing success.
- Conduct on-site home reviews of regulated family child care providers to remain in compliance with USDA and DPI memorandums
- Establish strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
- Keep program-related data accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible for accessibility.
- Provide ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Schedule and supervise staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Create Improvement plans to follow up with providers on non compliance areas.
- Track follow up to determine if plan is being implemented and be aware of repeated non compliances.
- Create reports to assist DPI during review audits and prepare written responses to DPI audit issues
- Design program implementation and maintenance plan.
- Ensure that policies and procedures comply with DPI guidance and DPI contract
- Identify program needs according to USDA and DPI requirements & develop strategies to achieve goals and objectives
- Develop, implement and monitor procedures to ensure accurate processing of monthly CACFP claims for reimbursement
CACFP Specialist
Western Dairyland Eoc
08.2017 - 07.2023
- Conduct home reviews of regulated family child care providers to remain in compliance with USDA and DPI memorandums
- Reports Health and Safety violations to DCF.
- Develop strong client relationships through consistent communication and attentive service.
- Complete paperwork, suggest corrective action and, if necessary, document subsequent actions taken with programs accurately & in a timely manner
- Identify & recruit eligible family child care providers
- Ensure child enrollment forms for accuracy & update enrollments annually
- Maintain familiarity with current USDA & WI DPI regulations & explain changes to providers
- Monitored compliance with onsite home reviews by checking records of claiming patterns & problems identified at previous visits
Pre-Licensing Specialist
Western Dairyland Eoc
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Reduced processing time for license approvals, implementing standardized procedures and documentation requirements.
- Provided onsite technical assistance for potential family or group child care providers in their homes or wherever an intended child care center is to be located.
- Communicated via telephone and email consultations to potential providers.
- Remain well-informed about DCF 250 and DCF 251 licensing requirements and related current issues.
- Provided technical assistance to providers regarding childcare business practices, strategies for building relationships with families, health and safety, child development, and other issues both in person and via telephone and email to providers and families.
- Identified unregulated child care providers and provide technical assistance to assist them in becoming regulated
In Home Childcare Provider
Self-Employed
11.2002 - 06.2017
- Created and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Offered a stimulating curriculum that accommodated all learning styles
- Communicated with children's parents and guardians about daily activities, behaviors and problems
- Managed general housekeeping duties, including feeding, diapering, resting, and cleanup.
- Developed strong relationships with families, resulting in high levels of trust and confidence in childcare services provided.
- Worked with parents one-on-one to address individual needs of children in care.
- Complied with state and federal child care provider guidelines and regulations.
- Maintained safe environment by keeping watchful eye on children.
- Prepared nutritious meals and snacks for children to maintain balanced diets.
Assistant Director
Genesis Child Development
01.2000 - 09.2002
- Familiarized parents with the center's policies, regulations, fees, and curriculum
- Sustained ideal staff-to-student ratio in center licensed for 75 children
- Made policy decisions in conjunction with daycare board
- Billed and managed parent accounts and scheduling of staff
- Managed the food program.
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new educators to maintain a high-quality teaching staff.
- Enforced and followed DCF-Group Childcare Licensing rules and regulations
Education
Pre-Nursing -
CVTC
Eau Claire, WI01.2017
Early Childhood Education -
UW-Stout
Menomonie, WI01.1997
1 year Degree: Child Care -
CVTC
Eau Claire, WI01.1996
High School Diploma: General Education -
North High School
Eau Claire, WI01.1995
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Experience navigating WISCCRS, CSAW, CCF, and CCPP
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Decision-Making
- Dependability and Cooperation
- Excellent Oral and Written skills
- Experience with Monitoring for Compliance
- Critical Thinking
- Computer Literate
- Experience conducting onsite visits
- Organized
Certification
CACFP Child Nutrition Professional Certification-September 2023
Protective Factors Framework-May 2021
Training Professional Course-November 2020
Foundations Coursework-October 2020
Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Train the Trainer-June 2020
Stewards of Children Mandated Reporter- November 2017
Timeline
Nutrition Specialist/Program Coordinator-CACFP
Western Dairyland Eoc
07.2023 - Current
Pre-Licensing Specialist
Western Dairyland Eoc
01.2018 - 01.2020
CACFP Specialist
Western Dairyland Eoc
08.2017 - 07.2023
In Home Childcare Provider
Self-Employed
11.2002 - 06.2017
Assistant Director
Genesis Child Development
01.2000 - 09.2002
Pre-Nursing -
CVTC
Early Childhood Education -
UW-Stout
1 year Degree: Child Care -
CVTC
High School Diploma: General Education -
North High School
CACFP Child Nutrition Professional Certification-September 2023
Protective Factors Framework-May 2021
Training Professional Course-November 2020
Foundations Coursework-October 2020
Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Train the Trainer-June 2020
Stewards of Children Mandated Reporter- November 2017
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