Go Kids, Inc.: Case Study

Go Kids, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enhance the lives of children and families through the delivery of comprehensive child development services and community involvement. We envision communities where every child has the support they need to reach their greatest potential.

The agency was incorporated in 1978 when it was awarded a grant from the City of Morgan Hill to provide early childhood education training services to unemployed women from low-income backgrounds. Go Kids has experienced steady growth since its inception and has expanded its service delivery area to four counties: Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz. The agency’s budget now exceeds $12 million and comes from a variety of sources including

the California Department of Education, various Foundations and First 5 Commissions.

Go Kids serves more than 1,200 children each year and operates five licensed child development centers serving infants, preschool and school age children.

One center operates seasonally for migrant families. In addition to center-based care, the agency provides clients the option of licensed and exempt family child care (FCCH). Currently GKI contract’s with over 120 providers that are part of the Family Child Care Network. Approximately one half of the children are served in child development centers and the second half receive care in homes. Go Kids also provides community based services in Salinas to bring resources and outreach services to families with young children. Moreover, Go Kids administers an Alternative Payment (AP) Program and operates the San Benito County Resource and Referral (R&R) program.

The children and families who receive quality early care represent a diverse ethnic population including Latino, Caucasian, African American, Asian, Portuguese and Russian. The socio-economic status is very low to low income. The children and families receiving subsidized services must meet income guidelines set forth by the State Department of Education, Child Development Division, which is below 70% of the State Median Income level. The languages spoken by families and staff are primarily English and

Spanish.

A six-member Board of Directors serves as the governing body for Go Kids, Inc. They provide support and advice on programmatic issues; policy review and approval; and assist in evaluating the agency on an annual basis. The agency also has a long history of receiving unqualified financial audits each year. Key administrative staff includes an Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Child Development Director, Special Projects Director and the Human Resource Manager. The agency employs a variety of additional support staff to assist with the various administrative functions. See attached the Go Kids, Inc. Board of Directors roster.

Go Kids, Inc. operates a Shared Services Department called “GK Financial”. This department was created in 2011 to address the ever dwindling resources and growing administrative costs of small to medium sized struggling non-profit agencies. GK Financial provides “back door” financial services for agencies unable to absorb the costs of a finance team. Go Kids Inc. has over 35 years experience managing state and federal contracts, and reporting to the California Department of Education (CDE). GK Financial became a natural fit to rescue agencies that would otherwise fall prey to rising costs and decreased funding, often resulting in the termination of programs. Since this time, GK Financial has added Enrollment and Eligibility Services, and Centralized Kitchen services.