Why Haven’t I Heard of GoEngage? Here’s What You Need to Know
As more and more Head Start and Early Head Start agencies are learning about GoEngage, we often hear a few recurring questions:
“Who is Cleverex?”
“Are you a start-up company?”
“Why haven’t I heard of you before?”
“Why haven’t I seen you at many conferences?”
“Do you plan on selling GoEngage?”
These are great questions, and we’re excited to share more about who we are, what makes GoEngage unique, and why we may not have crossed paths—until now.
Who We Are: Cleverex and GoEngage
You may be wondering, “What’s the difference between Cleverex and GoEngage?”
Cleverex is our company name, and we’ve been supporting Head Start and Early Head Start programs with innovative solutions for over 25 years. GoEngage is our flagship product—a modern platform designed specifically to meet the needs of early childhood education programs.
At Cleverex, our mission has always been to create tools that empower programs to thrive. GoEngage represents the most cutting-edge product of that mission, combining decades of experience with innovative technology to provide an intuitive, efficient, and reliable solution for your team, children, and families.
Whether you’re working with Cleverex or exploring GoEngage, you can trust in our commitment to excellence and our deep understanding of the Head Start community.
Are We a Start-Up? Not At All!
GoEngage is a newer name for a product whose history goes back more than 25 years. Our journey began in 1997 when we won the contract for the Head Start Family Information System (HSFIS). HSFIS was a data management system created in the late 1990s to help Head Start agencies collect, track, and report on program data more effectively. It was developed under a federal contract as part of an initiative by the Office of Head Start (OHS) to standardize how programs manage essential information about children, families, and services.
Building on HSFIS, we developed PROMIS (Program Resources and Outcomes Management Information System), one of the first web-based platforms tailored for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. PROMIS was widely recognized for its ability to streamline operations, improve compliance, and support family engagement.
Over the years, we continued to innovate, creating several additional products to meet the changing needs of Head Start programs. Each iteration brought enhancements in functionality, usability, and alignment with evolving Head Start requirements.
GoEngage (previously known as myHeadStart) is the latest and greatest—a modern, user-friendly platform built to meet the needs of today’s programs while maintaining the trust and reliability of over two decades of experience.
Key Contributions and Contracts: Advancing Head Start and Early Childhood Systems
Employment with the Office of Head Start for the Program Information Report (PIR)
Lead Programmer for the PIR, 1993
6 Contracts with the Office of Head Start
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), 2004-2021
Head Start Family Information System (HSFIS), 1997-2004
Transportation Pathfinder, 2003-2010
Grant Application Budgeting Instruments (GABI), 2003-2004
Program Review Instruments for Systems Monitoring (PRISM), 2003-2004
Head Start Fiscal Assistant, 2002-2004
1 Contract with the U.S. Department of Education
Quality Assurance (QA) ToolKit, QA Data Doctor, QA Calculator, 1998-2000
1 Contract with the State of Maryland
Subcabinet for Children, Youth & Families Information System (SCYFIS), 2003-2012
Why Haven’t I Heard of You Before?
GoEngage is growing, and we’re excited to share our solution with more agencies across the country. Historically, we didn’t invest in sales or marketing efforts. Instead, we focused all our energy on developing high-quality software for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Many of our users discovered us through word of mouth, as agencies recommended our solutions to their peers.
This approach worked well for years, but with the addition of our new leadership team—CEO/CTO Michael Ma and COO Angela Ma—we’ve made it a priority to expand our visibility. Michael and Angela bring decades of experience in the tech industry and understand the importance of investing in a sales and marketing team to help more agencies learn about GoEngage.
While we may be a new name to you, we’re not new to serving the Head Start community. Our commitment to innovation and responsiveness remains steadfast. For example, just 30 days after the Office of Head Start (OHS) announced changes to include excessive home costs as part of eligibility criteria, we updated our platform to support this new requirement. This dedication to staying ahead of your needs is what makes GoEngage a reliable partner for your program. Read more about the update on our blog, Head Start Policy Update: Housing Adjustment.
Why Haven’t I Seen You at Many Conferences?
In the past, our focus was on creating the best possible software for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, rather than marketing or attending industry events. We concentrated on building strong relationships directly with programs and relied on word of mouth to grow.
As we continue to grow, we’re making it a priority to participate in more conferences to share our story, connect with programs like yours, and demonstrate the value of GoEngage. If we haven’t had the chance to meet at a conference yet, rest assured—we look forward to connecting with you soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to follow us around the States!
Get Social: Connect With Us
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoEngageSoftware/
💙 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleverex-systems-inc./
❤️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoEngage_App
💙 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goengage-software-official
❤️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goengage.app/
Do you plan on selling GoEngage? Our Commitment to Staying Independent
We understand why this concern exists—many Head Start software vendors have sold their platforms, leading to declining service and support for their users.
At GoEngage, we’re different. We are deeply committed to remaining independent and focused on the needs of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Staying independent allows us to:
Maintain unparalleled service and support for our users.
Adapt quickly to the changing needs of the Head Start community without external influence.
Stay true to our mission of empowering programs with modern, user-friendly solutions that deliver real value.
Our leadership team is passionate about building long-term relationships with our users, and we are here for the long haul. When you choose GoEngage, you can trust that we are as invested in your agency’s success as you are.
What Makes GoEngage Different?
At GoEngage, we stand out in several important ways:
Proven Expertise: With 25+ years of experience, we bring deep knowledge of the Head Start community and its evolving needs.
Responsive Innovation: Our platform adapts quickly to regulatory changes, like the inclusion of excessive home costs in eligibility criteria.
Modern, User-Friendly Design: GoEngage is built to simplify workflows, improve family engagement, and reduce administrative burdens.
Prioritized Support: Our FA1/FA2 First Responders Team ensures your critical needs are addressed promptly, especially during high-stakes moments like compliance reviews.
Cost-Effective Solution: We understand the budget constraints of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. GoEngage is designed to deliver exceptional value, providing robust features and dedicated support at a price that’s affordable for programs of all sizes.
Looking Ahead
GoEngage may be a new name for you, but we’ve been here all along, and we're here to stay! Our mission is to empower early childhood education programs with tools and support that make a meaningful difference for your team, children, and families.
If you’d like to learn more or schedule a demo, we’d love to connect. Let’s talk about how GoEngage can help your program thrive.
Schedule a demo with us today to learn how GoEngage can transform your agency’s operations and help you achieve your goals with confidence.
Click Here to Schedule Your Demo
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Grace Bennett: Front Office Manager at Cleverex Systems
Grace Bennett is the Front Office Manager at Cleverex Systems, where she plays a vital role in ensuring smooth daily operations and exceptional administrative support. With her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Grace oversees front office activities, manages communications, and coordinates internal processes to enhance team efficiency. Her professionalism and dedication make her an integral part of the Cleverex Systems team.
