April Edition of GoEngage Brew: What’s Brewing This Month?
April is a time of growth, celebration, and strategic action—from honoring young children and embracing inclusivity to planting the seeds for a successful 2025–2026 school year.
At GoEngage, we’re here to help you streamline your systems, elevate your teams, and future-proof your data—so you can stay focused on supporting children and families.
Here’s what’s brewing this month! ☕👇
Head Start is Turning 60!
This year marks a major milestone — 60 years of lifting families and empowering futures through Head Start. Help us celebrate this historic impact:
👉 Sign the official birthday card
GoEngage in Action: April Tips
Tip 1: Mastering Team Case Conferencing
Team Case Conferencing helps your team collaborate across roles and ensure no child falls through the cracks. With real-time compliance flags and comprehensive data, it’s never been easier to track, review, and act on what matters most.
🔎 Where to Find It:
From the Team Case Conferencing Task - Best for getting a classroom-wide overview—ideal for planning and documentation.
From the Child’s Record in Family Directory - Great when you need individualized follow-up across health, nutrition, and support plans.
🛠️ What You Can Do:
Add a New Case Conference entry with just a click
Review required items like Health Mandates, Allergies, and IEPs
Use filters to focus on due/past due events
Collaborate with families in their primary language
💡 Pro Tip: Customize your Team Case Conferencing Checklist to match your agency’s priorities.
Tip 2: Build Your Own Case Conferencing Checklist
Did you know you can customize the Team Case Conferencing checklist in GoEngage to fit your agency’s exact needs?
Whether you’re tracking social-emotional growth, family engagement, or internal review milestones — your checklist can reflect your priorities.
🔧 How to Build Your Custom Checklist
Navigate to:
System Settings > Team Case Conferencing > Check List(Or access Task Settings directly from the top of the Team Case Conferencing screen)💡 Quick Tip: Both paths take you to the same configuration panel!
Click the Add new button to begin building your checklist item.
Customize with Levels:
Levels: Define stages of compliance or review (e.g., Pending, In Progress, Completed)
Alert Flag: Use color-coded flags to instantly highlight key statuses
Description: Add context for your team
Click “Guidance” to enter helpful tips or directions your staff can view when they hover over the description.
Repeat as needed – there’s no limit to how many checklist levels you can create!
Why it matters: A custom checklist ensures every team member is aligned, efficient, and focused on what matters most to your program.
Using GoEngage? Need help with implementing these tips? Contact us for your support and training needs! (800) 473-4780 | support@GoEngage.app | training@GoEngage.app
Not Using GoEngage? Interested in learning more? Request a demo or contact us. (800) 473-4780 | sales@GoEngage.app
April Awareness
Discover how GoEngage can enhance and support your efforts.
Week of the Young Child
Celebrating early learning, family partnerships, and joyful development.
Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), spotlighting the importance of early childhood education and the educators, families, and communities who support young learners.
This week serves as a reminder that the early years are foundational—a time when brain development, language growth, and social-emotional skills form the building blocks for lifelong success.
✅ How GoEngage Supports:
Use the Parent Collaboration and Communication Journal modules to engage families in activities, share photos, and celebrate milestones—especially in their preferred language.
Track participation and outcomes in the Assessment & Curriculum module, aligning with WOYC daily themes like Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday.
Upload photos, notes, and documentation from center-wide celebrations to family records—great for both compliance and community building.
📚 Helpful Resource:
NAEYC – Week of the Young Child Hub - Find activity guides, promotional materials, planning tips, and downloadable celebration kits.
Looking to explore how GoEngage can help your agency document, celebrate, and connect more meaningfully year-round?
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Strengthening child safety, family resilience, and early intervention.
April is a time to reaffirm our commitment to protecting children and supporting strong families. As trusted partners in early childhood, Head Start programs play a vital role in identifying early warning signs, fostering safe environments, and educating families about prevention.
✅ How GoEngage Supports:
Collaborative Monitoring: Use Team Case Conferencing to track and discuss behavioral, health, or environmental concerns across disciplines — ensuring early, coordinated support.
Confidential Documentation: Log observations and internal referrals securely in the Case Notes tool, with access restricted to authorized staff.
Training & Compliance: Upload staff mandated reporter certifications to central staff records to ensure readiness and compliance.
Information in Preferred Languages
Use the Parent Collaboration to share prevention resources and tips directly with families in their preferred language.
Attach translated flyers, videos, or links to messages and log communication for reference.
Learn more by scheduling a demo today!
📚 Helpful Resources to Share with Staff & Families
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Prevention Resource Hub - Tools, fact sheets, activity calendars, and printable materials for family engagement.
Prevent Child Abuse America - Research-driven campaigns, parenting support, and public awareness tools.
🛠️ Tip: Use GoEngage’s document upload tool to store printable handouts, or message families directly with translated content using your built-in communication features.
Autism Acceptance Month
Promoting inclusion, understanding, and whole-child support.
Formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, April is now recognized as Autism Acceptance Month—a shift that reflects a deeper, more inclusive approach. Rather than simply raising awareness, this month promotes acceptance, appreciation, and meaningful inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum.
It’s a time to recognize that neurodiversity is a strength, and that early childhood professionals have a vital role in creating supportive, responsive environments where every child can thrive.
✅ How GoEngage Supports:
Easily track and manage IEPs, IFSPs, 504 Plans, or Mental Health Action Plans in the child’s dedicated profile—ensuring visibility and accountability.
Use custom checklists or data fields to highlight individual needs, accommodations, or sensory considerations across classrooms or service areas.
Document and share specialist consultations, family insights, and team decisions using the Services and Case Notes tools.
🌐 Helpful Resources for Staff & Families:
Autism Society: #AutismIs Campaign - Stories, toolkits, and inclusive celebration ideas that promote belonging and visibility.
Autism Speaks – World Autism Month - Advocacy, fundraising events, and downloadable resources for educators and families.
CDC – Autism Information Toolkit - Developmental milestones, signs to watch for, and evidence-based practices.
Autism Parenting Magazine – Acceptance vs. Awareness - A family-centered perspective on what acceptance really means in today’s early childhood world.
📢 Want to build more inclusive practices into your program year-round?
GoEngage equips your team to document, coordinate, and support every child’s developmental journey—holistically and inclusively.
Request more information today!
National Poetry Month
Celebrating language, creativity, and joyful literacy development.
National Poetry Month, celebrated every April, is the largest literary celebration in the world. It highlights the importance of poetry in building early language, emotional expression, and literacy skills—especially in young children. Poetry fosters rhythm, rhyme, vocabulary, and imagination, all while helping children explore sound, pattern, and meaning in fun and memorable ways.
In early childhood, poetry also supports phonological awareness, an essential precursor to reading success, and encourages creative expression in both spoken and written language.
✅ How GoEngage Supports:
Use the Assessment & Curriculum module to log poetry-based activities and document alignment with early literacy goals.
Share poems, read-alouds, or parent participation prompts through the Parent Collaboration tool.
🌐 Helpful Resources to Spark Imagination:
Poets.org – National Poetry Month Hub - Free lesson plans, printable posters, and ways to participate all month long.
Read to Them – Join the Celebration - School-wide poetry initiatives and ideas for bringing poetry into the home.
Reading Rockets – Literacy Calendar: Poetry Month - Book lists, teaching strategies, and classroom activities for diverse learners.
📚 Why It Matters in Head Start:
Incorporating poetry strengthens the connection between oral language and early literacy, while promoting joyful learning and family involvement—core values of every high-quality Head Start program.
Bring Poetry to Life with GoEngage
Discover how GoEngage can help your team share literacy experiences, track engagement, and communicate with families in their preferred language.
Request a Demo or More Information
Planning Ahead: Get GoEngage-Ready for 2025–2026
If your program isn’t on GoEngage yet — now is the time. A smooth transition takes thoughtful planning. Starting this spring or summer positions your team for full readiness by next school year.
Let’s start building your transition plan now—so you’re fully ready by fall.
📅 Book a transition planning meeting or demo today!
💬 “Switching to GoEngage during the spring gave us time to train, test, and launch with confidence.” - New GoEngage User, TX
Come See Us at NHSA in Columbus
We're excited to announce that GoEngage will be exhibiting at the NHSA 2025 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio!
📍 Stop by our booth to say hello, get a live demo, and see how GoEngage can help your agency streamline operations, support families, and prepare for the 2025–2026 program year.
Whether you're already a GoEngage user or just curious to learn more, we'd love to connect in person!
✨ Bonus: Swing by and pick up some exclusive GoEngage goodies while they last!
Upcoming Workshops
PIR Workshop - Virtual
Gain skills to effectively use GoEngage’s data management tools for the PIR that aligned with Head Start Standards 1302 Subpart J on Program Management and Quality Improvement.
When: May 6-7
Where: VIRTUAL
👉 Register Now - Registration closes April 29!
In-Kind & Governance Workshop - Virtual
Offers tools and strategies for accurately tracking in-kind contributions and enhancing governance practices in alignment with Head Start Standards 1301.3, 1301.4, and 1303.4.
When: July 15-16
Where: GoEngage Headquarters: 1801 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite #500, Reston, VA 20191
👉 Register Now - Registration closes July 8!
Health & Nutrition
Empowers users to streamline health tracking, improve nutritional planning, and ensure compliance with Head Start standards, 1302.4 Health Program Services, for optimal child well-being.
When: October 7-8
Where: TBD
👉 Register Now - Registration closes September 23
Need Additional Training? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you need more in-depth training beyond our workshops, we offer customized solutions to fit your agency’s needs. Whether it’s on-demand learning, virtual sessions, or hands-on onsite training, we’re here to help!
Our Training Options Include:
On-Demand Video Library – Learn at your own pace.
Live Virtual Training – Tailored sessions for your team.
On-Site Training – In-person, expert-led training at your location.
Consulting – In-person or virtual options to work with a Head Start expert.
Let’s ensure your team is equipped to finish the school year strong or start the next one with confidence! Contact us today to find the perfect training solution for your agency.
(800) 473-4780 | training@GoEngage.app | Request More Information
Take Action Now: Protect Head Start
Head Start has changed millions of lives over the past 60 years—but its future is under serious threat. The Administration has proposed eliminating federal funding for Head Start, which would endanger early learning, family support, and opportunity for our country's needest children.
As members of the Head Start community, now is the time to stand up, speak out, and protect this essential program.
Make Your Voice Heard
Take Action via NHSA – Use this quick and easy tool to contact your elected officials and tell them why Head Start matters.
Share your story, advocate for your families, and help ensure Head Start remains a pillar of equity, education, and empowerment for generations to come.
From the GoEngage Blog – Must-Reads This Month
Stay informed with our latest insights on Head Start, family engagement, and data management. Check out these must-read articles:
Why a Dedicated Head Start Data Management System Is No Longer Optional
ChildPlus Alternative: Why Agencies Are Replacing ChildPlus with GoEngage
Stop Overpaying for Software—Save Money by Switching to GoEngage
📚 Explore more articles here → GoEngage.app/blog
What Users Are Saying About GoEngage
“GoEngage has streamlined our workflows and reduced the time we spend tracking compliance. Now we can focus more on meaningful family engagement.” — Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
“We transitioned from another system to GoEngage and immediately noticed how intuitive and responsive the platform is. Our staff were up and running in no time, plus we saved a lot of money.” — Program Director
“I love how GoEngage pulls all our health and services data into one place. No more toggling between multiple tabs.” — Health & Nutrition Specialist
“The parent collaboration tools have improved our communication significantly. It's easier to keep families informed and engaged.” — Home-Based Supervisor
“I appreciate how GoEngage is built specifically for Head Start. It shows in the workflows, reports, and support team—everything just fits.” — Compliance Analyst
📖 Explore more customer success stories: See how agencies like yours are thriving with GoEngage
Not Using GoEngage-Take the Next Step!
Learn how GoEngage can streamline your program management, improve compliance, and empower your team to deliver exceptional service to families.
That's a Wrap for This Month's Brew!
This April, we honor the legacy of Head Start, celebrate progress, and prepare for an even brighter future. Whether you're just beginning your GoEngage journey or leading change in your region, we’re proud to support your mission every step of the way.
💌 Have a topic you'd like us to explore next month? Let us know at sales@GoEngage.app.
Until next month,
The GoEngage Team
(800) 473-4780 | sales@GoEngage.app | support@GoEngage.app | training@GoEngage.app | consulting@GoEngage.app | product@GoEngage.app
Stacy Lewis: Senior Director of Business Development at Cleverex Systems
Stacy Lewis is the Senior Director of Business Development at Cleverex Systems, the creator of GoEngage. A trusted leader in the Head Start software space since 2001, Stacy brings over 24 years of experience, including key roles at ChildPlus, KinderSystems (COPA and California subsidy products), and Learning Genie, before joining GoEngage.
Throughout her career, Stacy has helped countless agencies optimize operations, enhance family engagement, and achieve compliance with federal and state standards. Her extensive industry knowledge and commitment to innovation continue to drive transformative solutions that empower Head Start programs to better serve children and families.
