From Long-Time User to True Partner: How New Opportunities Reimagined Their Work with GoEngage
For more than 15 years, New Opportunities has been a GoEngage customer. But their story isn’t just about longevity.
It’s about transformation.
A Long History—And a Turning Point
Since 2009, New Opportunities has relied on GoEngage to support their program across rural Iowa. Over time, like many long-term users, their processes evolved—but not always alongside the system.
When Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User, joined the team in 2023, the program was still navigating a heavy mix of paper-based workflows and manual processes. She joined a dedicated team already committed to growth and improvement, including Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User, who has spent 11 years with the program and has seen GoEngage evolve over time, and Misty Naberhaus, Office Coordinator/Admin User, who has been part of the team for five years. Together, their experience and collaboration have played a key role in moving the New Opportunities Head Start program forward. Embracing a more efficient, paperless approach through their continued work with GoEngage.
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Applications moved slowly—averaging 15 days (or longer) to process—as paperwork physically traveled between sites.
“The paperwork often had to travel across our rural, seven-county service area to reach us. Sometimes sitting in mailboxes for a week or two before we could move forward.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
In a program where sites can be hours apart, these delays weren’t just inconvenient—they created real operational challenges.
Before & After: A Clear Shift
Letting Go of the Old Way
For years, the team tried to make the system fit their existing processes.
“We wanted the system to do things the way we’d already been doing them.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
But everything changed when they shifted their mindset.
“We had to quit fighting the system and accept it for what it is—and use its capabilities effectively.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
That moment marked a turning point—not just in how they used GoEngage, but in how they approached their work.
From an Average of 15 Days to Real-Time Progress
Today, their workflows look completely different.
Instead of paper forms moving across counties, applications are:
Completed electronically
Reviewed collaboratively
Approved in real time
What once took weeks can now happen in real time.
“Being able to collaborate in real time accelerated our efficiency and saved time.”
— New Opportunities Admin Team
And one of the biggest wins?
“It eliminated the loss of paperwork.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
A Team That Grew With the System
New Opportunities didn’t just adopt new tools—they built a culture of learning and collaboration around them.
Each admin team member developed deep expertise in different areas of the system:
Health and screenings
Attendance and enrollment
Family engagement and services
 |
|
Together, they’ve created a system that works—not just technically, but operationally.
Efficiency That Matters
Like many Head Start programs, their team is constantly balancing growing responsibilities with limited time.
“We’re given more and more tasks each day without getting more time… so we need to be more efficient with the time we do have.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
By leveraging GoEngage, they’ve:
Reduced manual tracking in Excel
Centralized data within the system
Improved access to child and program information
Streamlined communication and approvals
Why They Chose to Stay
At one point, the agency explored other systems.
But what they found reinforced their decision to stay.
“We looked at other systems… and honestly, the other systems don’t even come close to what we’re able to do with GoEngage.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
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|
More than features, it was the partnership that stood out.
“The willingness to hear us out… I would be willing to bet that would be hard to find with other vendors.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
A New Way Forward
Today, New Opportunities approaches GoEngage differently.
They don’t just use the system—they:
Collaborate internally to solve challenges
Think strategically about workflows
Provide feedback that helps shape the platform
“We try to think—what is GoEngage’s intended purpose, and how do we shift our thinking?”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
Sound Familiar?
If your program is:
Still relying on paper or spreadsheets
Experiencing delays in enrollment or approvals
Struggling to get real-time visibility into your data
You’re not alone—and change is possible.
Advice for Other Programs
Their biggest lesson is simple—but powerful:
“Don’t fight the system. Be willing to leave old thought processes behind, stay open to what the system is capable of, and recognize that it may require adjusting some internal processes.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
Because when you do:
“It forces you to get everyone on the same page… and there’s a silver lining in that.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
Final Thought
New Opportunities’ story isn’t about switching systems.
It’s about growing into one.
After more than 15 years, they’ve transformed their workflows, strengthened their team, and built a partnership that continues to evolve—step by step.
And in doing so, they’re better equipped than ever to serve the children and families who depend on them.
Curious What This Could Look Like for Your Program?
Let’s talk through your current processes and explore what’s possible—no pressure, just clarity.
From Long-Time User to True Partner: How New Opportunities Reimagined Their Work with GoEngage
For more than 15 years, New Opportunities has been a GoEngage customer. But their story isn’t just about longevity.
It’s about transformation.
A Long History—And a Turning Point
Since 2009, New Opportunities has relied on GoEngage to support their program across rural Iowa. Over time, like many long-term users, their processes evolved—but not always alongside the system.
When Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User, joined the team in 2023, the program was still navigating a heavy mix of paper-based workflows and manual processes. She joined a dedicated team already committed to growth and improvement, including Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User, who has spent 11 years with the program and has seen GoEngage evolve over time, and Misty Naberhaus, Office Coordinator/Admin User, who has been part of the team for five years. Together, their experience and collaboration have played a key role in moving the New Opportunities Head Start program forward. Embracing a more efficient, paperless approach through their continued work with GoEngage.
|
|
Applications moved slowly—averaging 15 days (or longer) to process—as paperwork physically traveled between sites.
“The paperwork often had to travel across our rural, seven-county service area to reach us. Sometimes sitting in mailboxes for a week or two before we could move forward.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
In a program where sites can be hours apart, these delays weren’t just inconvenient—they created real operational challenges.
Before & After: A Clear Shift
Letting Go of the Old Way
For years, the team tried to make the system fit their existing processes.
“We wanted the system to do things the way we’d already been doing them.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
But everything changed when they shifted their mindset.
“We had to quit fighting the system and accept it for what it is—and use its capabilities effectively.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
That moment marked a turning point—not just in how they used GoEngage, but in how they approached their work.
From an Average of 15 Days to Real-Time Progress
Today, their workflows look completely different.
Instead of paper forms moving across counties, applications are:
Completed electronically
Reviewed collaboratively
Approved in real time
What once took weeks can now happen in real time.
“Being able to collaborate in real time accelerated our efficiency and saved time.”
— New Opportunities Admin Team
And one of the biggest wins?
“It eliminated the loss of paperwork.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
A Team That Grew With the System
New Opportunities didn’t just adopt new tools—they built a culture of learning and collaboration around them.
Each admin team member developed deep expertise in different areas of the system:
Health and screenings
Attendance and enrollment
Family engagement and services
|
|
Together, they’ve created a system that works—not just technically, but operationally.
Efficiency That Matters
Like many Head Start programs, their team is constantly balancing growing responsibilities with limited time.
“We’re given more and more tasks each day without getting more time… so we need to be more efficient with the time we do have.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
By leveraging GoEngage, they’ve:
Reduced manual tracking in Excel
Centralized data within the system
Improved access to child and program information
Streamlined communication and approvals
Why They Chose to Stay
At one point, the agency explored other systems.
But what they found reinforced their decision to stay.
“We looked at other systems… and honestly, the other systems don’t even come close to what we’re able to do with GoEngage.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
|
|
More than features, it was the partnership that stood out.
“The willingness to hear us out… I would be willing to bet that would be hard to find with other vendors.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
A New Way Forward
Today, New Opportunities approaches GoEngage differently.
They don’t just use the system—they:
Collaborate internally to solve challenges
Think strategically about workflows
Provide feedback that helps shape the platform
“We try to think—what is GoEngage’s intended purpose, and how do we shift our thinking?”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
Sound Familiar?
If your program is:
Still relying on paper or spreadsheets
Experiencing delays in enrollment or approvals
Struggling to get real-time visibility into your data
You’re not alone—and change is possible.
Advice for Other Programs
Their biggest lesson is simple—but powerful:
“Don’t fight the system. Be willing to leave old thought processes behind, stay open to what the system is capable of, and recognize that it may require adjusting some internal processes.”
— Kara Montgomery, Office Coordinator/Admin User
Because when you do:
“It forces you to get everyone on the same page… and there’s a silver lining in that.”
— Amanda Nees, Health Coordinator/Admin User
Final Thought
New Opportunities’ story isn’t about switching systems.
It’s about growing into one.
After more than 15 years, they’ve transformed their workflows, strengthened their team, and built a partnership that continues to evolve—step by step.
And in doing so, they’re better equipped than ever to serve the children and families who depend on them.
Curious What This Could Look Like for Your Program?
Let’s talk through your current processes and explore what’s possible—no pressure, just clarity.
Get your GoEngage up and running
Get your GoEngage up and running
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Stacy Lewis
Sr. Director, Business Development, Cleverex Systems
Sr. Director, Business Development, 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.
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.
