Users favor GoEngage for its intuitive design, affordability, and compliance-driven features. Compare GoEngage and ChildPlus across these capabilities and more.
Engaging families in Head Start programs requires more than just a data management system—it requires a platform built for connection, efficiency, and compliance. Unlike ChildPlus, which lacks essential features like digital in-kind tracking and multi-lingual family communication, GoEngage delivers a comprehensive, web-based solution that simplifies data tracking, monitoring, and family engagement-the cornerstone of all Head Start programs.
GoEngage is:
✅ Easier to Use – A single web-based platform (no desktop software required).
✅ More Affordable – No expensive training costs ($7,500–$30,000 for ChildPlus).
✅ More Effective – Built-in digital in-kind tracking and multi-lingual family communication for better family engagement.
What Matters Most
GoEngage
ChildPlus
All-in-One Web-Based Platform
✅ Yes
❌ No (Requires separate desktop & online systems)
Digital In-Kind Tracking
✅ Yes
❌ No (Paper-based, time-consuming, & missed opportunities)
Centralized Internal Staff Collaboration
✅ Yes
❌ No
Multi-Lingual Family Communication including automatic outreach if child is unexpectedly absent
✅ Yes
❌ No
Intuitive, Flow-Based Design
✅ Yes
❌ No
Parent Portal (included in your Annual Subscription)
✅ Yes
❌ No
Cost-Effective Training & Onboarding
✅ Yes
❌ No ($7,500–$30,000)
Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TOC)
✅ Yes
❌ No
ChildPlus forces users to navigate between a desktop-based system and an online platform, creating inefficiencies and access challenges.
GoEngage is 100% web-based, meaning staff can access family data, track engagement, and communicate seamlessly—without jumping between multiple platforms.
“With ChildPlus, we wasted so much time switching between systems just to complete simple tasks. GoEngage gave us a seamless, web-based experience that made our work so much easier.”
Head Start Program Coordinator
In-kind tracking is a Head Start compliance requirement, yet ChildPlus doesn’t offer a built-in solution, forcing staff to rely on paper forms and external spreadsheets.
GoEngage simplifies in-kind contribution tracking with a built-in digital system, reducing paperwork and administrative burden.
“Tracking in-kind with ChildPlus was a nightmare—we had to use separate systems just to stay compliant. Our fiscal team always had stacks and stacks of paperwork to track, which was very time-consuming and error-prone. With GoEngage, it’s all built-in and effortless.” – Family Services Manager
Family Services Manager
Effective communication is key to family engagement, but ChildPlus lacks built-in multi-lingual messaging, making it difficult to reach non-English-speaking families. Or, programs have to use a separate system for multi-lingual communication, adding to the complexities of having multiple systems and extra costs.
GoEngage provides multi-lingual communication through text, email, and app notifications, ensuring families receive information in their preferred language.
“ChildPlus made it difficult to communicate with non-English-speaking families. With GoEngage, we send messages in their preferred language instantly—it’s a game-changer.” – Head Start Family Advocate
Head Start Family Advocate
ChildPlus isn’t just expensive upfront—it also comes with training fees ranging from $7,500 to $30,000, placing a significant financial burden on programs. With frequent staff turnover, these excessive costs make it nearly impossible to keep teams properly trained without straining budgets.
GoEngage offers an intuitive interface and cost-effective onboarding, so programs can get started without spending thousands on training.
“We were shocked by the training costs for ChildPlus—it was completely unsustainable. GoEngage made onboarding easy, and we didn’t have to spend thousands just to learn how to use it.”
Head Start Director
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear from some Head Start Agencies who made the switch:
Maximize Your ROI with GoEngage
Unlike ChildPlus, GoEngage provides transparent pricing with no hidden costs, ensuring a lower total cost of ownership while delivering more value.
With GoEngage, programs experience:
✅ 40% reduction in time spent on in-kind tracking
✅ Higher parent participation rates with multi-lingual messaging
✅ Lower operational costs compared to ChildPlus
