What’s brewing in November?

Tip #1: Stay Ahead of 90-Day Health Requirements (Physicals, Immunizations, Screenings)

The 90-day deadline for new enrollments is approaching — that includes physicals, immunizations, and required health screenings.

How GoEngage helps:

• Use the My Health Workbook or Initial Mandated Health Events POP to see which children are coming due or are past due

• Color-coded flags for Missing/Expired to prioritize follow-ups

• Configure Alerts for Upcoming or Past Due events and set the alert frequency

💡 Did You Know? Head Start requires programs to determine whether each child is up-to-date on preventive care within 90 days of enrollment HSPPS §1302.42(b). GoEngage makes this easier by tracking deadlines, alerting staff of upcoming and past due requirements, and communicating with families about the status of these requirements.

Need help implementing this?

Check out our Customize mandate windows and flags or Enter a health test or screening articles in the Help Center or open a Support ticket.

Tip #2: Prepare for Holidays & Shortened Hours — Communicate in Families’ Primary Language

With holidays and office closures coming up, make sure families and staff receive timely reminders.

How GoEngage helps:

• Send Messages to notify families of closures, schedule changes, or reminders

• Translate your message, and GoEngage automatically sends the message in each family's preferred language

💡 Did You Know? Head Start requires programs to communicate with families in their primary language whenever possible (HSPPS §1302.50 and §1302.101). GoEngage supports this by allowing you to translate messages then automatically sending messages in each family’s preferred language.

Need help implementing this?

Check out our Set up multilingual emails and texts article in the Help Center or open a Support ticket for assistance.

Tip #3: Monitor PIR Data Throughout the Year — Don’t Wait Until the Deadline

Avoid the year-end scramble by reviewing PIR data regularly instead of waiting until the final reporting period. A little monitoring each month saves a lot of stress in the summer.

How GoEngage helps:

• Use the PIR Dashboard / “My PIR” to track required PIR fields in real time

• Find Missing Required Data to quickly identify gaps

• Assign follow-up tasks to the appropriate staff member to ensure completion

💡 Did You Know? PIR reporting aligns with HSPPS §1302.101 and §1302.102 — programs must have ongoing monitoring systems in place throughout the year. GoEngage makes this easier by allowing you to track, assign, and follow up on PIR data continuously — not just at the end.

Need help implementing this?

• Check out our Agency PIR and My PIR - How It Works and Setup Guide for My PIR articles in the Help Center

• Submit a Support ticket or request training

• Purchase the PIR Workshop Recording to walk through exactly what to monitor and when

National Family Engagement Month

What it is: A nationwide celebration of families as partners in education.

Why it matters to Head Start: Family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of school readiness, attendance, and long-term success. When families feel welcomed and included, children thrive — socially, emotionally, and academically.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Family Literacy Night

• Classroom volunteers / reading buddies

How GoEngage supports it:

• Create & track Family Events (literacy nights, orientation)

• Send invites + reminders → improves turnout

• Track attendance & volunteers → supports In-Kind / Non-Federal Share

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.50–52: Family engagement and family partnership services

• §1302.101–102: Ongoing monitoring & CQI

GoEngage turns family engagement into measurable outcomes, not just paper sign-in sheets.

Native American Heritage Month

What it is: A month to celebrate and honor Native history, culture, languages, and contributions.

Why it matters to Head Start: Cultural responsiveness isn’t a nice-to-have — it's required. Children develop confidence when their identity is reflected in the curriculum.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Inviting local tribal elders or community members

• Storytelling and traditional music

• Displaying cultural artifacts or artwork

How GoEngage supports it:

• Plan and track cultural Family Events and participation

• Document partnerships with tribal organizations in Community Resources/Referrals

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.31(b): Learning environments that respect culture & language

• §1302.53: Community partnerships

GoEngage helps you document inclusive education — not just provide it.

Military Family Appreciation Month

What it is: A month recognizing the service and sacrifice of military-connected families.

Why it matters to Head Start: Military families face unique challenges — relocations, deployment schedules, transitions, and stress.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Recognition wall for military-connected families

• Deployment resource packets

• Family support circles or check-ins

How GoEngage supports it:

• Track military status and related supports in Family Services

• Share deployment resources through Announcements

• Host appreciation events via Family Events

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.52: Individualized family partnership services

• §1302.70–72: Smooth transitions

GoEngage helps ensure no military family has to repeat their story over and over.

National Adoption Month

What it is: A month celebrating adoptive families and permanency for children.

Why it matters to Head Start: Families may have changing guardianship or foster arrangements that require accurate documentation.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Family story-sharing activities

• Social worker / adoption resource events

• Support groups for kinship care

How GoEngage supports it:

• Upload custody/guardianship documents securely

• Document communication and support in Family Services

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.12: Eligibility (foster = categorical eligibility)

• §1302.70–72: Transitions and continuity of care

Families come in many forms — GoEngage makes documentation seamless.

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

What it is: A month focused on youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Why it matters to Head Start: Under McKinney-Vento:

• “Doubled up,” living in motels, or living temporarily, counts as homelessness.

• Children are categorically eligible for Head Start.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Partnerships with shelters or housing agencies

• Family resource and referral events

• Attendance support interventions

How GoEngage supports it:

• Track living situation during the eligibility process

• Document follow-up and referrals through Family Services

• Monitor attendance interventions and supports

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.12–16: Eligibility, selection, enrollment, attendance

• §1302.52: Family support & referrals

When housing changes, GoEngage connects the dots — and documents the support.

Men Make a Difference Month

(Father/Male Involvement)

What it is: Encouraging active participation of fathers and male role models.

Why it matters to Head Start: Male engagement increases confidence, attendance, and family connectedness.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Dads & Donuts

• Fatherhood literacy mornings

• Classroom volunteer days

How GoEngage supports it:

• Plan and track fatherhood engagement events

• Capture male involvement volunteer hours for In-Kind

• Invite and follow up with targeted communication

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.50–52: Family partnership and engagement

If you’re planning it — you can track it in GoEngage.

National Child Safety & Protection Month

What it is: A focus on preventing injuries and increasing safety awareness.

Why it matters to Head Start: “Active supervision” is a common finding during federal reviews.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Safety walk-throughs or refresher training

• Parent safety workshops (sleep safety, car seats, home hazards)

• Classroom safety audits

How GoEngage supports it:

• Use Child Location Tracker to support active supervision

• Document injuries/near misses

• Assign corrective action tasks and follow-up

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.47: Safety practices & incident documentation

• §1302.45: Mental & physical health

GoEngage turns safety into proof — not paperwork.

National Caregiver Month (for families & staff)

What it is: A month recognizing caregivers, including teachers, home visitors, and parents.

Why it matters to Head Start: Supporting caregivers supports children.

Examples of activities programs are planning:

• Staff wellness check-ins

• Parent support groups

• Gratitude walls / recognition boards

How GoEngage supports it:

• Track PD and training hours

• Send gratitude messages using Announcements

• Run pulse surveys via Quick Forms

HSPPS Alignment:

• §1302.92: Professional development

• §1302.45: Mental health & well-being

When caregivers are supported, children thrive.

Using GoEngage & Need help?

Visit the Help Center  | Contact our Support Team  |  Request Training

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Not Using GoEngage?

👉 Request a Demo Today or More Information

Custom Training (Virtual or In-person)

New users or feature rollouts

Workshops (Live or Recorded)

Deep dive topics (PIR, Governance, In-Kind, Health)

GoEngage Academy

Self-paced learning

When you need more than training — you need a partner.

We help with:

• Federal Review Readiness (FA1, FA2, CLASS)

• Process optimization and SOP development

• Software transitions (Other Software → GoEngage)

• Data cleanup and workflow mapping

➡️ Request more information today

"Show me how the feature works."

Training

"Partner with me to build the process."

Consulting

Short sessions and immediate wins

Training

A defined outcome and documented workflows

Consulting

“The consulting engagement gave us more than tips — it gave us clarity. We left with documented workflows, a PIR monitoring plan, and staff who knew exactly what to do.”

– Director, Texas