What’s brewing in February?

🖤 Black History Month

Honoring Equity, Culture, and Community

Why this matters

Black History Month is a meaningful opportunity for Head Start and Community Action Programs to reflect on equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices. It aligns with Head Start’s expectation that programs design services based on the culture, strengths, and lived experiences of the families they serve.

Celebrating Black history isn’t just about recognition — it’s about ensuring engagement, teaching practices, and partnerships reflect the communities in which programs operate.

Head Start Program Performance Standards Connection

• 45 CFR §1302.101(b)(2) — Program goals must reflect the needs of children and families

• 45 CFR §1302.50(b) — Family engagement must be culturally and linguistically responsive

• 45 CFR §1302.34(a) — Teaching and learning environments must be inclusive

• 45 CFR §1302.53(b) — Community partnerships that support family well-being

  
  

How GoEngage supports this work

GoEngage helps programs document how equity and inclusion show up in everyday practice by enabling teams to:

• Capture family engagement activities, events, and outreach efforts

• Document culturally responsive services and community partnerships

• Track referrals, follow-ups, and family supports tied to individual needs

• Maintain consistent, equity-focused data practices for monitoring and planning

➤ See guide: Send emails and texts to parents

By keeping engagement and services documented in one system, programs can clearly demonstrate alignment with Head Start standards — beyond celebrations alone.

🧠 Children’s Mental Health Awareness

Supporting Social-Emotional Well-Being for Children and Families

Why this matters

Mental health and social-emotional development are core Head Start services, not optional supports. February is a natural checkpoint to ensure screenings, consultations, referrals, and follow-ups are happening consistently — and that services are documented clearly.

Head Start Program Performance Standards Connection

• 45 CFR §1302.45(a) — Child mental health and social-emotional well-being

• 45 CFR §1302.33(b) — Developmental and behavioral screenings

• 45 CFR §1302.46(a) — Ongoing assessment of child progress

• 45 CFR §1302.53(a) — Coordination with mental health consultants and community resources

How GoEngage supports this work

GoEngage helps programs stay proactive and compliant by allowing teams to:

• Track developmental and social-emotional screenings with alerts and reminders

• Document mental health referrals, consultations, and follow-up actions

• Record family support services and ongoing case management notes

• Maintain a clear service timeline for monitoring and internal reviews

➤ See guides: Complete the Mental Health referral process, track disability or mental health services

With everything captured in one place, staff spend less time chasing documentation and more time supporting children and families.

🪥 National Children’s Dental Health Month

Strengthening Oral Health Compliance and Follow-Up

Why this matters

Oral health is a required Head Start health service, and documentation is critical. February serves as a timely reminder to review dental screenings, EPSDT compliance, referrals, and follow-ups — all of which are closely reviewed during monitoring.

Head Start Program Performance Standards Connection

• 45 CFR §1302.42(b) — Oral health services

• 45 CFR §1302.41(a) — EPSDT and preventive health care

• 45 CFR §1302.42(c) — Follow-up care and referrals

• 45 CFR §1302.101(b)(3) — Ongoing monitoring of service delivery

  
  

How GoEngage supports this work

GoEngage simplifies oral health tracking by enabling programs to:

• Monitor dental screenings and EPSDT requirements

• Set alerts for upcoming or overdue screenings and follow-ups

• Document referrals, outcomes, and family communication

• Maintain audit-ready records for reviews and reporting

  
  

➤ See guides: Log a dental exam or screening, track follow-up dental treatments, follow up on dental needs

Clear documentation helps ensure children receive timely care — and that programs are prepared to demonstrate compliance.

🏡 Poverty Awareness & Economic Security

Ensuring Accurate Eligibility and Family Support

Why this matters

February often aligns with updated poverty guidelines and renewed conversations around eligibility, ERSEA, and economic security. Accurate income documentation and service tracking are foundational to Head Start compliance and family support.

Head Start Program Performance Standards Connection

• 45 CFR §1302.12 — Determining, verifying, and documenting eligibility

• 45 CFR §1302.13 — ERSEA services and recruitment

• 45 CFR §1302.53(b)(2) — Family partnerships and referrals

• 45 CFR §1302.101(b) — Program planning based on community and family needs

  
  

How GoEngage supports this work

GoEngage helps teams stay aligned and confident by allowing them to:

• Apply updated poverty guidelines within eligibility workflows

• Track income eligibility and verification documentation

• Document family services, referrals, and economic supports

• Maintain consistent records for ERSEA compliance and CAP reporting

  
  

➤ See guides: Verify Head Start eligibility, complete a two-year eligibility re-certification, enter Individualized Family Partnership Agreements (goal setting), create referrals and follow-ups for IFPA goals

Connecting eligibility and services in one system strengthens accuracy, reduces administrative burden, and supports families more effectively.

🗳️ Governance & Leadership Awareness

Strengthening Oversight, Participation, and Documentation

Why this matters

Early in the year is a key time for Policy Council meetings, Board engagement, and leadership planning. Clear participation tracking and documentation are essential for strong governance and ongoing compliance.

Head Start Program Performance Standards Connection

• 45 CFR §1301.2 — Governing Body and Policy Council structure

• 45 CFR §1301.3 — Responsibilities of the Governing Body and Policy Council

• 45 CFR §1301.4 — Parent participation in governance

• 45 CFR §1302.102(b) — Management systems and oversight

  
  

How GoEngage supports this work

GoEngage helps programs streamline governance by enabling:

• Policy Council and Board participation tracking

• Centralized storage of meeting records and documentation

• Digital forms and signatures to reduce paper chasing

• Clear visibility into governance activities for monitoring and audits

  
  

➤ See guides: Manage memberships for a council, committee, or board, track attendance for a council, committee, or board meeting

When governance lives in the system, documentation stays consistent — even as leadership changes.

With GoEngage, Awareness Leads to Action

Each of these observances is an opportunity to support families, strengthen compliance, and enrich your monthly activities. With GoEngage, you can streamline communication, document efforts, and make every awareness campaign part of your program’s success story.

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✅ Tip: Programs can highlight these observances in monthly newsletters to families, social media posts, and classroom activities.

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