Welcome to FamilyFirst Alerts™

This is an updated version of our FamilyFirst Alerts™. It contains the same features as the previous version, but offers additional options to make the application more user-friendly. As a new or existing user, we hope this quick reference guide answers your questions. If you have a question that’s not covered in this quick reference guide, we provide 24/7 customer support, feel free to contact us. Please feel free to call our office when you feel the need for further assistance at: (888) 744-7076.
1) Login into FamilyFirst Alerts™    

 
  1. Access our website through your computer browser: www.familyfirstalerts.com
  1. Login (located on the top right): Click into the blank field and type in your “login” name.
  1. Password: type in your password. If you have not been issued a password, please notify your Administrator
  1. Click Go. Now you are logged into your FamilyFirst Alerts
    account.
    This enables you to:
    a. manage your information
    b. create a message
    c. send a notification
  2) Main Navagation Menu    
  Welcome to our new “Today Screen.” This is the main navigation menu when you enter into your account. Please spend time to get familiar with this screen. It simplifies navigation and makes the application more user-friendly.
     

 

    
  3) Contacts/ Groups    
 

›Groups are used to organize your contact lists, enabling you to quickly deploy a notification to a specific group of contacts. Templates can be assigned to specific groups to automatic notification process.

 
  1. Navigate to the group menu in one of two ways:
    • contacts menu bar / manage groups
    • things to do / manage groups
  1. Go to Things to do (located on the top right). You may send or schedule a notification; or import your contact data by selecting the option.
  1. Click Setup your groups
  1. Type group name in the blank field.
  1. Click ADD

Once you have added all of your groups, you can manage them by clicking on Manage Contacts on the upper right hand corner of the page.

›Contacts are used to filter options to manage, lookup, and sort your contact list. Below are the current contents of your Contact List. (If you have not imported or entered any of your contacts you may do so on this page. Go to the top right hand corner of the page to the “Things to do” and select the appropriate choice.) You may EDIT any part of the Contact Record or Send an SMS Message to any individual contact from this list, clicking the corresponding link below. To send a Mass SMS Message, return to the Main Menu and select “Send SMS.”

 

 
                     
4) Calendar  
All of your schedules, events, and other school related activities are shown on the calendar. When you have created or entered a notification, it will be sent to the calendar. This documents that you have sent a notification or have scheduled a notification to be sent out at a later date and time.

1. Click Calendar.
2. Double-Click on an event or scroll in drop-down list on top of page (choose whether you want to
view calendar or edit).

               
5) Templates
Templates are used to organize and manage message automation. You can also use the Send Notification section to type in your notification and save it as a template as well. In template you can create a notification that can be used more than once. The following is a quick reference. For further information go to Send Notification.
  1. Click on the Templates bar.
  1. To create templates, do the following: Choose from Template select “New”,
    Click Next.
  1. Type your notification message in the empty field next to Mobile Message.
  1. Then, click Next to proceed.

You can now Email a notification as well as voice record.

  1. Scroll down the page and you’ll see an option to send an email message along with the text message (SMS). Enter message in field. If you do not feel it is necessary for an email to go out along with the text notification, click Next.
  1. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to Record/Choose voice file option. This option gives you an opportunity to record a voice template of the notification that you are about to send or schedule it for a later time.
6) Send Notifications
In Send Notification, you can choose your message from templates or you may enter your own message. Select your recipients from groups, individuals, and/or new contact. Then press Next to Confirm: send or schedule your message. Remember to check your message carefully as you cannot "undo" this function!
  1. Select method(s) to send your notification (select all that apply).
  1. Click NEXT
  1. Choose your template, if any. Or type your notification.
  1. Click “NEXT”
  1. Choose / Create Notification Recipients
    (Choose all that apply)
         
                     
   
  1. Then, click Go to step 3
    • Select the devices to receive alert
    • Select “Send Now” or “Schedule to send”
  1. Click “Confirm” button.
  1. Go to Calendar to check your scheduled notification.
    
                     
  7)Reports
The reporting feature provides you with an overview of notifications that have been sent. By selecting one of the reports in the drop-down list and selecting a date range, the system will provide your Sent Message Statistics and/ or an Activity Summary.

8) Administration (Superintendent or Administrator in charge)
The administration portion of the application allows school administrators to view all authorized users (i.e. teachers, emergency personnel, and administrative staff). Administrators are able to select access levels for each authorized user. This tool can also be used to edit authorized users. For example, if a teacher is no longer with the school/ district, the school administrator is able delete that users name from the system. When a replacement is hired, the administrator can simply create a new user.