ReachWell News

Introducing ReachWell Connect: A New Era of Community Communication

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:41:42 GMT

A major shift to communicate with your community—starting with a powerful transformation of our most-used tool: Announcements.

✨ Create Beautiful, Newsletter-Style Communications

We’ve completely upgraded our editor to deliver a modern, intuitive experience similar to tools like Mailchimp and Constant Contact—now built directly into ReachWell. (This was built in ReachWell!!!)

You can now:

• Design branded, visually rich newsletters with images, columns, and content blocks

• Embed videos, links, and formatted sections

• Keep everything accessible, translated, and easy to read across devices

• Continue using features you rely on like scheduling, attachments, and targeted messaging to individuals, groups, or channels

�� Introducing SmartSMS: No More Limits

We’re also redefining what SMS can do with SmartSMS.

Instead of being limited by short text messages, you can now send one complete, fully formatted message—delivered via SMS and experienced beautifully on any device.

With SmartSMS:

• Messages come from your organization or channel name for trusted recognition

• Each message includes a subject line and personalized link

• Recipients open a mobile-friendly, fully translated web view

• Your full message displays with images, formatting, videos, and attachments included

�� One Message. Fully Delivered. In Every Language.

This is just the beginning of ReachWell Connect—our ongoing investment in helping you reach more people, more effectively, with less effort.

We’re in the final stages of testing and excited to roll this out soon.

If you have feedback or want early access, we’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for being part of the ReachWell community,

Your ReachWell Team

Delta County’s New Mobile App Is Raising the Bar for Public Communication

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:16:11 GMT

Delta County Launches New App to Strengthen Community Communication

Delta County has officially launched a new mobile app to deliver important county information directly to residents — powered by ReachWell.

As featured by KVNF Public Radio , the County’s Public Information Office shared why this new system matters: residents need timely, accurate, and accessible information — especially during emergencies.

Why This Matters

County governments face growing pressure to:

Deliver emergency alerts quickly
Reach multilingual communities
Reduce misinformation
Share updates across multiple channels
Build trust through consistent communication

Delta County’s solution:

Multichannel delivery (SMS, email, voice, app)
Multilingual messaging
Direct opt-in from residents
One centralized platform for county departments

A Model for Rural & Mid-Sized Counties

Counties like Delta are proving that strong communication doesn’t require a massive IT team — it requires the right platform and leadership alignment.

This launch reflects:

Cross-department coordination
A proactive emergency management strategy
A commitment to inclusion and accessibility

What This Means for Other Counties

If you’re a:

County PIO
Emergency Manager
Human Services Director
Public Health Leader

Ask yourself, "Could your residents easily receive critical information in their preferred language today?"

Delta County decided the answer needed to be “yes.”

If your county is evaluating communication systems, we’d be happy to share how Delta structured their rollout and adoption strategy.

�� Contact us to learn how this can work in your region.

Reaching Hard-to-Reach Communities: 5 Working Practices

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:13:44 GMT

What inclusive communication looks like in practice

Across emergency management, housing, education, and nonprofits, we see the same pattern: organizations are working harder than ever to communicate, yet the most vulnerable people still miss critical information.

Here are a few practices consistently make the biggest difference in inclusive engagement:

1. Design for language and literacy first, not last

Assume your community does not prefer English or may have lower literacy.
Pair plain-language writing with translated, multilingual versions and audio or visual supports (icons, short videos, text-to-speech) so people can listen instead of read.
Use the same core message across channels so families don’t get different versions in different places.

Reflective question:
Where in your current system is a non-English-speaking or low-literate resident most likely to fall through the cracks? Leverage translated text-to-speech.

2. Remove “sign-up” and data barriers where you can

Many—especially undocumented, low-trust, or mobile families—avoid sharing personal data, accounts, or location.
Offer at least one way to receive essential information that doesn’t require logins, forms, or verified contact data.
Be transparent about what you do and don’t collect; naming your privacy stance explicitly can build trust over time.

Quick audit idea:
Look at your core alerts or updates. How many steps does a resident have to take before they can reliably receive them?

3. Meet people where they already are (not only in their inbox)

Relying on a single channel (email or social media) almost always leaves out low-tech or low-trust groups.
Use a multi-channel approach —web, social, app, text, voice, and community partners—to reinforce the same message in different ways.
Partner with schools, housing authorities, libraries, clinics, and nonprofits so your messages can “ride along” to their networks instead of starting from zero each time.

Practice we recommend:
For any high-stakes campaign (alerts, benefits, housing deadlines), plan your channels and partners first, then write the message.

4. Treat community partners as co‑messengers, not just “forwarders”

Give partners toolkits —drafts, flyers, social posts, and talking points—so they can share your information accurately in their own channels.
Make it easy for them to highlight your content in their newsletters, websites, and outreach, not just on social feeds that disappear in a day.
Share back what you’re learning (languages reached, common questions, gaps) so partners feel like part of a shared strategy, not just a distribution list.

Example question to ask partners:
“If we shared one communication kit with you next month, what formats would be most useful to your team?”

5. Build a feedback loop, not just a broadcast system

One-way communication makes it hard to know who you’re missing and why.
Create simple ways for families and residents to respond —surveys, quick polls, or two-way messaging—so you can hear where they’re confused or under‑reached.
Use that feedback to adjust language, timing, and channels rather than just sending more of the same.

Simple starting point:
Add one short feedback question to your next major announcement:

“Was this information clear and easy to access? If not, what got in the way?”

What we’re building in response

Over the past few months we’ve been investing heavily in:

Stronger support for emergency alerts that still reach people when language, literacy, and tech access are barriers
New tools for housing residents and teams to reach highly mobile, low-tech residents
Expanded support for early childhood and literacy partners who need to engage caregivers with literacy content at early ages
A growing library of evidence-based, ready-to-use content for agencies and nonprofits focused on equity and inclusive communication

If you’d like a deeper dive into any of these areas, here are a couple of short reads and case examples you might find useful:

FIS Releases the Read LA! App, Powered by ReachWell, Putting Early Literacy Tools in Every Family’s Hands!

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:19:51 GMT

We’re excited to announce that Families In Schools (FIS) has launched Read LA! on the ReachWell app !

Read LA! will bring early literacy information and activities to families across Los Angeles through the app to equip parents and caregivers with the tools they need to support their children’s literacy at home and advocate for them at school. Powered by ReachWell, the app makes content available in over 130 languages and requires no personal information, reducing any barriers to entry. All content has been carefully curated to bring only the highest quality tools and information to LAUSD families, including activities that align to their schools reading instruction curriculum called CKLA.

Currently, only 43% of Los Angeles third graders are reading at grade level— FIS and the Read LA! Coalition are committed to reversing this trend, ensuring that Los Angeles children can read and thrive. Our goal is to have 70% of LAUSD third graders reading proficiently by 2030. The Read LA! app—which follows our efforts to ensure good instruction in the classroom—will help us achieve this goal.

“While improving classroom instruction is at the crux of improving reading outcomes for children, we know that engaging and equipping families to be strong partners in their children’s education is a powerful driver for literacy success,” said Yolie Flores, President & CEO of Families In Schools . “We’re excited to partner with ReachWell because we know families want access to information and guidance to ensure their children can read; they want to do everything in their power to help their children be successful in school and in life.”

“That’s why Read LA! on the ReachWell app was built with input from our parent and caregiver focus groups, coalition, and Literacy Ambassadors to put trusted, curated early literacy resources directly into families’ hands,” said Olga Corona De La Cruz, Sr. Campaign Director of Read LA! . Watch this video by Olga to learn a little more about the app and how it helps our campaign.

Zuben Bastani, CEO & Founder of ReachWell , has worked closely with FIS to bring Read LA! to families across Los Angeles and beyond. “Our mission at ReachWell is equitable community engagement,” said Bastani. “We designed the most accessible tool out there because everyone has a right to access information and resources easily. I know how critical Read LA! is in Los Angeles’ early literacy community, and we are so excited they have chosen to join ReachWell.”

“Our instructional video makes it easy to download the app,” said Corona De La Cruz. “We want families of young children to have the literacy tools and information they need at their fingertips. Your child’s future starts now—download the app today!”

Carbondale’s Rapid Subscriber Growth

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:08:27 GMT

From crisis to connection: Carbondale’s story of rapid growth.

During the Coulter Creek Fire , the Carbondale Fire District was active on ReachWell publishing alerts for their community. As a result, the Town of Carbondale saw an extraordinary surge in ReachWell subscibers on their distinct channel. In just a few days, over 200 new subscribers joined the town's channel.

How did it happen?

The local fire district was actively sending emergency updates through ReachWell, keeping residents informed.
Residents received these alerts in their preferred languages , ensuring a clear understanding in a stressful moment.
As people engaged with these critical updates, they discovered that the Town of Carbondale also had a channel on ReachWell. After subscribing to the town's channel they saw the town was also sharing important information on ReachWell. Within a couple of days, the town acquired 200 new subscribers to its communication list.
This cross-pollination —where one agency’s outreach naturally boosted another’s visibility—led to unprecedented growth in subscribers.

This kind of rapid expansion simply isn’t possible through traditional outreach alone. By supporting each other on ReachWell, local partners amplify one another’s reach , ensuring that more residents stay informed, connected, and supported.

We’re excited to show you how your organization can replicate this strategy:

Grow your subscriber base faster
Increase the impact of your communication
Support and strengthen your local partners

�� Let’s talk about how we can help your community build the same type of trusted, multilingual communication network. Book a discovery call today!

Reach Everyone. Control the Message.

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:58:00 GMT

Why Communication Without Gaps Is the Future of Public Engagement

Every agency, housing authority, nonprofit, and school system believes they’re engaging their community. They send emails, build opt-in lists, launch text campaigns, and post to social media.

But the truth is simple: those systems all leave people behind.

Disconnected phone numbers. Unchecked email inboxes. Families who can’t read English, or who can’t read at all. Neighbors who distrust the government and won’t hand over personal information.

These aren’t minor inconveniences. They are life-and-death barriers in emergencies and trust-breaking barriers in everyday services.

At ReachWell, we believe the future of public engagement has no gaps. That’s why our mantra is simple:

�� Reach Everyone. Control the Message.

Why Current Systems Fail

Opt-in sign-ups miss the hardest-to-reach. Low-income residents with unstable phone service, migrant families with language needs, and undocumented neighbors who won’t share personal information simply don’t make it onto lists.
Social media promotes ads, not accuracy. Your message competes with algorithms, distractions, and comment sections that distort what you’re trying to say.
Email and SMS tools collapse under real-world conditions. Phone numbers change, emails go unchecked, and translation is never built-in.

The result? Communication gaps. And those gaps carry consequences your community cannot afford.

How ReachWell Closes the Gaps

Inclusive by Design : Every message is automatically available in 130+ languages, with text-to-speech for low-literacy audiences and voice calls for residents who still rely on landlines.
Privacy-First: Residents don’t need to hand over personal information. Even the most distrusting or undocumented families can subscribe safely and anonymously.
Multi-Channel Distribution: Messages can be delivered in their language by app, text, email, voice call, websites, and social—all at once.
Message Control: Unlike social platforms, there are no public comment threads that spiral out of control. Responses are private, secure, and fully translatable.
Community Growth: When one organization joins, the whole community benefits. Followers discover and connect with other local agencies, multiplying reach across networks.

Case Studies: What Inclusive Communication Looks Like

�� Emergency Response: Carbondale, CO (Coulter Creek Fire)
When flames swept through Carbondale, alerts from the fire district went out in multiple languages. Families who would have been excluded had clarity when it mattered most. As neighbors received updates, more than 200 new subscribers joined the town's channel in just days. One agency’s outreach became another's community gateway.

�� County-Wide Alerts: El Paso County, CO
Shelter-in-place orders and missing persons alerts now reach residents in 130+ languages—even those who never gave the county their phone number or email.

��️ Housing Stability: Boulder County Housing Authority
Disconnected phones used to cut tenants off from critical updates. With ReachWell, residents stay informed about emergencies, maintenance, and services—even after their contact information changes.

�� Inclusive Education: Adams 12 Schools (McElwain Elementary)
For years, Emma Gonzalez Gutierrez struggled to engage with her children’s teachers. This year, she finally got messages in Spanish—including one about her daughter winning a classroom award. She was able to show up and surprise her child.

“It was very exciting. It was so valuable that she was able to let me know. It’s been such a gift for me.” – Emma Gonzalez Gutierrez, Parent

��‍�� Trusted Staff Communication: Tucson, AZ Head Start
More than 500 staff receive HR notices, safety alerts, and training reminders in their preferred language—strengthening trust and improving retention.

The Big Idea: Engagement Without Gaps

Engagement without gaps is the only real engagement.

Communities thrive when everyone is included.
Agencies build trust when they own the message.
Local ecosystems grow stronger when organizations lift each other up.

That’s the ReachWell difference.

�� Reach Everyone. Control the Message.

Your community can’t afford to leave anyone out. In an emergency, that gap could cost lives. In everyday services, it erodes trust.

See how your agency, housing authority, or nonprofit can join the movement toward inclusive, gap-free communication.

Book a discovery meeting today.

When Residents Don’t Trust You: How to Still Keep Them Safe and Informed

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 21:28:45 GMT

Government distrust is at an all-time high. Many residents are wary of sharing their personal information with public agencies, often due to fears of surveillance, spam, or data misuse. This hesitation is especially acute among low-income and unhoused individuals who frequently change phone numbers due to service lapses, making traditional outreach efforts ineffective.

Most public communication systems fall short. They rely on platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, which get lost in crowded inboxes. Social media, while pervasive, is designed to harvest data and push ads—not to protect user privacy. Even emergency alert systems often require residents to sign up and share their location, further eroding trust.

Text messaging, often called the holy grail of communication, is no longer a guaranteed solution. People guard their phone numbers carefully, especially when interacting with the government. They fear being spammed or having their data sold.

So how can agencies inform and protect the public without breaching their trust?

A New Approach to Community Communication

Using ReachWell's extensive experience and broad customer base, here are some recommendations to consider when engaging your community in a less intrusive yet more effective manner:

Offer Communication Choices : Let residents decide how they want to receive information—whether it's through text, email, voice calls, app notifications, or a combination. This respects personal preferences and helps reduce message fatigue.
Respect Anonymity : Not everyone wants to share personal contact details. Provide anonymous access to messages via public channels or apps that don’t require identifying information.
Support Multilingual Access : Language should never be a barrier to safety or services. Translate messages into the primary languages spoken in your community, and consider text-to-speech options for low-literacy audiences.
Allow Topic Subscription : Let people select specific topics or groups they care about. Targeted messages reduce noise and increase engagement.
Minimize Data Collection : Collect only the data you truly need. Avoid tracking location or behavior unless absolutely necessary—and be transparent about what is collected and why.
Ensure Accessibility : Meet or exceed accessibility standards (such as WCAG 2.2 AA compliance) so all residents, including those with disabilities, can access and understand public messages.

These practices foster trust, improve message delivery, and help ensure no one is left out of important conversations—especially in moments of crisis or community need.

Expanded Real-World Examples: Trusted by Diverse Communities

El Paso County, CO (Colorado Springs area) uses ReachWell to distribute emergency alerts—including shelter-in-place orders and missing persons reports—in over 130 languages. Residents can receive alerts even without providing contact information.
The Town of Carbondale, CO keeps its multilingual and low-literate residents informed of community events, social services, and public works projects using WCAG 2.2 AA-compliant messaging and text-to-speech capabilities—ensuring no one is left behind.
Tucson, AZ : Child-Parent Centers, a Head Start provider, uses ReachWell to keep 500+ staff updated on safety alerts, training sessions, and HR notices across 130 languages—building internal trust through inclusive communication.
Boulder County Housing Authority ensures ongoing connection with residents—even after their contact information changes—by sending updates about emergencies, upcoming maintenance, and resident services using ReachWell’s multilingual and anonymous outreach tools.

Conclusion

Building trust with residents starts with giving them control. When governments let people choose how they connect, what they receive, and in what language—trust grows. ReachWell is proving that communities can be kept safe and informed without sacrificing privacy or accessibility.

When people don’t trust the system, it’s time to change the system. ReachWell is doing just that.

BOOK A DEMO TODAY

Maximizing Community Reach: A Smarter Approach to Engagement

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:46:55 GMT

In order to maximize reach, we've applied the following approach to quickly connect all families.

Maximizing Community Reach: A Smarter Approach to Engagement

Do you know your reachability? How confident are you that every family in your community is receiving the information they need? Reaching every family quickly and effectively is essential for strong community engagement—and it doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming. Too often, organizations struggle to connect with all families, leaving gaps in communication that can lead to disengagement, misinformation, or lack of access to critical resources.

With ReachWell, achieving 95%+ reachability (the ability to successfully connect with and inform families across multiple communication channels) within just a few weeks is possible. By streamlining communication, reducing the need for manual translation, and automating outreach, communities can save significant time and budget while maximizing impact. Schools, nonprofits, and local governments that have implemented ReachWell consistently report higher engagement, stronger trust, and more effective communication with the families they serve.

This guide breaks down the key strategies that make high reachability a reality. Whether you're looking to refine your approach or transform the way you engage, these insights will help you remove barriers and ensure every family stays informed.

Use this checklist to evaluate your current engagement plan and identify areas for improvement. Download it today and take the first step toward stronger, more inclusive communication!

1. Accessibility: Meet Families Where They Are

Ensure information is distributed through all practical channels: App, Email, Text, Call, Social Media, and Web (both your site and partner sites). ReachWell supports all these and more.
Keep information updated regularly and ensure consistency across all channels.

⚠️ Remember: Social media is unreliable due to algorithm-based feeds. Important messages may not be seen when needed most.

2. Language and Literacy: Overcome Language Barriers

Provide real-time translations and support for human translators.
Allow English Learners (ELs) to choose their preferred language instead of relying on registration data.
Support unwritten languages with integrated audio and video translations.
Ensure low-literacy users have access to text-to-speech in both English and their native language.

3. Accessibility for Disabilities: Inclusive Communication Matters

Enable text-to-speech features to support visually impaired individuals.
Use high-contrast text and image tags for better readability.
Include American Sign Language (ASL) video messages to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

4. Tech Literacy : Minimize Barriers to Adoption

Simplify signups and logins—avoid unnecessary passwords and device requirements.
Protect private information (PII) while keeping access simple with two-factor authentication (2FA) via paper, text, email, or call.

5. Supporting Low-Income Families: Stay Connected Despite Changes

Account for frequently changing phone numbers by providing an app that ensures continuous connection.
Recognize that many low-income families rarely check email—reach them where they engage most: on their mobile devices.

6. Undocumented or Unregistered Caretakers: Build Trust Through Open Access

Avoid requiring personal information for basic access—families should be able to follow important updates without fear of tracking.
Understand that the listed parent or guardian in the system may not always be the actual caretaker. Offer a simple process for adding or updating contacts to reflect real-time caregiving arrangements.

By addressing these key areas, your community can eliminate communication barriers and ensure every family stays informed and engaged.

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST TO EVALUATER YOUR STRATEGY

Facing Deportation Fears

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:37:16 GMT

How Technology Can Rebuild Community Trust

For some immigrant families, the simple act of showing up to a parent-teacher conference feels like stepping into a spotlight, carrying the weight of what-ifs. Will my accent give me away? Will my name on a sign-in sheet lead to trouble? The fear is real—and it’s silencing parents voices that should be heard the loudest.

Today’s political climate is intensifying these fears, causing families to retreat more and more into the shadows. "On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration announced it had rolled back Biden-era guidance that limited federal immigration arrests near sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals, and churches," according to Reuters . This policy shift has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities, dismantling protections that once allowed families to engage in their communities without constant fear of exposure. In some high-immigrant neighborhoods, "church services have even been canceled as families fear gathering could make them vulnerable to immigration enforcement," reported the Chicago Tribune. Families now face even greater uncertainty, leaving many to question whether engaging with schools, churches, or other organizations is worth the risk.

When families disengage, children are often the first to feel the impact. They miss out on opportunities to thrive, falling behind academically and socially. This is not just a loss for the family; it’s a loss for the entire community, which depends on the well-being of its youngest community members to flourish.

The Ripple Effect of Fear on Communities

The consequences of this fear are far-reaching. Schools lose out on vital parent engagement, which is critical for student success. Nonprofits struggle to connect families with essential services. Over time, this disengagement weakens the bonds that create resilient neighborhoods.

For schools, the lack of parent involvement creates challenges in building partnerships that foster student success. Educators know that when parents are informed and involved, students thrive. Without that engagement, schools struggle to meet their goals, and the divide between families and institutions grows wider. Safety—a core value we all share—depends on trust and connection. When those are eroded, everyone feels the impact. But, clear communication can overcome distrust and fears.

Key Features of ReachWell

Multilingual Support:

Families receive updates in their native language, ensuring clear communication for all.

No Personal Data Required:

Unlike other platforms, ReachWell prioritizes privacy, allowing families to stay informed without sharing sensitive information.

Simple, Direct Communication:

Notifications are sent directly to families’ phones, bypassing the need for complex forms or sign-ups.

Customizable Alerts:

Schools and nonprofits can tailor messages to specific needs, from emergency alerts to event updates.

ReachWell: Bridging Gaps with Privacy-First Communication

This is where tools like ReachWell come in. Our multilingual communication platform is designed to bridge the gap between families and the organizations that serve them —without requiring personal contact information. Unlike other communication platforms, ReachWell ensures that families can access critical updates anonymously, reducing fear and fostering trust.

Explore how we’re making a difference. Start your FREE ReachWell channel today.

Is It Time to Leave X? Rethinking How We Stay Connected

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 02:19:40 GMT

Evaluating your communications strategy to align with what is important to you.

Social media isn’t what it used to be, and sometimes you might wonder: Why am I still here? Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook were once simple tools to connect with your audience. Now, paywalls, algorithms, and misinformation make it harder than ever to share updates, build trust, or feel confident that these platforms align with your values and mission.

Deciding to stay or leave social media isn’t simple for nonprofits and small businesses. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Let’s explore why many groups are leaving, what you should consider, and how you can rethink your communication strategy with ReachWell to stay connected in meaningful ways.

Why Groups Are Leaving X

Platforms like X used to help nonprofits and businesses share news for free. Today, many groups feel stuck. Here’s why:

Too Much Misinformation
Misinformation makes it hard to build trust. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reported that X failed to act on 99% of hate speech posted by Twitter Blue subscribers, creating an environment where harmful content thrives. CCDH announced plans to leave X, stating that Elon Musk has transformed the platform into a "dangerous, troubled space where hate, conspiracy theories, and lies have privileged access to the megaphone."

Changing Audiences
Many people are leaving X for new options like Threads and BlueSky. " Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has seen its user base grow significantly, from around 9 million in September to over 14 million by November ," reports TechCrunch.

Cluttered Feeds
Important updates get lost in noisy feeds. X's recommendation algorithm prioritizes content based on popularity and user engagement. "Twitter’s open-source algorithm" has been criticized for burying critical updates under trending or viral content. For nonprofits and businesses, this often means paying for promotion to ensure their updates reach their audience.

Threads is growing too, but it might need to be more user-friendly. " A small number of advertisers could begin using Threads for ads in early 2025 ," reports The Verge. This could lead to more ads and algorithms, making it even harder for groups to share meaningful updates.

Key Considerations for Staying or Leaving Social Media

If you’re unsure whether to leave or stay on platforms like X or Facebook, here are some factors to think about:

�� Audience Reach and Engagement

Is your audience still active on the platform? If many of your followers have moved to other platforms or prefer communication tools like newsletters, your efforts might be better spent elsewhere.
Are your posts reaching your audience, or are they lost in busy feeds? For example, a community health organization found their post about a free vaccine clinic reached fewer than 10% of their followers.

�� Costs and Budget

Does reaching your audience require paying for ads? Many nonprofits and small businesses don’t have the budget for this, which can make staying on social media feel ineffective.
Could the time and resources spent managing social media be better used elsewhere?

❗ Misinformation and Trust

Are you battling misinformation on the platform? For example, during the 2024 elections, many nonprofits worked hard to share facts, but false information in Spanish spread quickly on social media. This made it harder for groups to build trust and help their communities.
Is the platform’s environment hurting trust in your updates?

�� Messaging Control

Are algorithms deciding who sees your updates? If your most important messages are buried, it’s worth considering other tools that let you connect directly.
Can you maintain the integrity of your messages without ads or unrelated content surrounding them?

�� Inclusivity and Accessibility

Are you reaching everyone in your audience, especially those who speak different languages?
Does the platform provide accessibility features, like captions or alternative text for images?

�� Mission Alignment

Does the platform’s environment align with your organization’s values? If not, it might be time to explore tools that better reflect your mission.

�� Alternative Tools

Are there better tools, like ReachWell, that allow you to communicate directly with your audience? ReachWell provides features like multilingual messaging , list segmentation, and real-time updates to ensure your messages are inclusive and effective.

�� Community Feedback

What does your audience think? Have you asked where they prefer to engage with you?

�� Transition Strategy

If you decide to leave, how will you transition your audience? A clear plan will ensure you don’t lose your connection with them.

ReachWell: A Better Way to Stay Connected

ReachWell works alongside your social media and other tools. It helps you integrate, strengthen, and simplify your communication strategy. If you’re unsure about a platform like X or Threads, ReachWell gives you a reliable and inclusive way to connect with your audience directly.

With ReachWell, you don’t have to worry if your message gets lost. Instead, you can focus on building trust, connecting with your audience, and strengthening your community.

How to Get Started

Switching to ReachWell is simple:

Schedule a demo today and see how ReachWell can transform your communication strategy.

Reconnect With Your Community

Leaving X doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s a chance to rethink how you connect—with tools that are clear, inclusive, and aligned with your values.

Picture building trust with your audience, sharing updates effortlessly, and connecting with every member of your community. With ReachWell, it’s all possible. Ready to switch? Learn more here.

Comparison: ReachWell vs. Popular Social Media Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Simplifying Language: Making Communication Accessible for Everyone

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:10:01 GMT

Practical Strategies for Simplifying Communication

Effective communication is about making sure everyone understands and feels included. Complex or unnecessary long language can create barriers, leaving people feeling excluded and uninformed. As Lee Shainis, founder of Simplify Language , puts it, 'When we create communication that more people read and understand, we all benefit.”

Shainis notes that simplifying language isn't about dumbing down your message; it's about making sure everyone, regardless of their background or language skills, has access to the information they need. This is crucial for promoting language justice and accessibility, especially when trying to build resilient, inclusive communities using innovative, inclusive communications platforms like ReachWell, which agencies, schools, and nonprofits use to connect with every community member in over 130 languages.

The Benefits of Simple Language for Omnichannel Communication

Using clear and simple language helps everyone, from community members to public service professionals, understand the message without struggling with unnecessary jargon or complex phrasing. This is particularly important in sectors like affordable housing, emergency services, education, and healthcare, where effective omnichannel communication—via newsletters, SMS, or integrated communication platforms —can make a significant difference in people's lives. When we use language that is easy to understand, we empower individuals to participate actively, make informed decisions, and feel valued.

Barriers Created by Complex Communication

Many people feel excluded, disempowered, or uninformed simply because they don't understand the language used by organizations or authorities. Trust diminishes when people feel they are being talked at rather than communicated with. Shainis explains, "People feel excluded, disempowered, and uninformed when they don’t understand you. Almost nobody tells you when they don’t understand, but they may tune out or ignore your message." Almost no one will tell you they don’t understand, but they may tune out or miss critical information—especially if it's overly long or convoluted. Inequities of power and privilege are reinforced when language excludes people, making it harder for underserved communities to access the information they need.

How Simplified Communication Builds Trust and Enhances Technology Use

Simplifying communication builds trust and make messages more inclusive. As Shainis says, “Our ability to communicate deeply impacts how we get along with each other, how we build trust, and how we include everyone.” When language is clear, it reduces misunderstandings and ensures that everyone can follow along. This approach is beneficial for individuals with limited English proficiency, but also for those who may need more time to engage with complex content. By making messages simpler, more people are invited into the conversation, creating a more equitable community. 'When we adapt our communication to meet people where they are, we see deeper engagement and trust," Shainis notes.

Tools like ReachWell, developed by Zuben Bastani after seeing the failures of legacy communication platforms in his own child's school, are designed to make communication accessible for all, offering an all-in-one platform for families to engage in unified communication through mobile apps, email, text, two-way chat, web, and voice calls.

Practical Strategies for Simplifying Communication

Breaking Down Barriers Through Clear Communication

Simplifying language is essential for justice, equity, and accessibility. By making our communication clear and inclusive, we can break down barriers and create a space where everyone feels valued and heard. This commitment to simple, effective communication is key to fostering deeper community engagement, building trust, and supporting equitable access to information, fostering trusted community connections, and improving engagement through features like resource referrals, forms, and surveys.

Simplified Communication for Better Community Engagement and Translation

Simplified communication isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for effective community engagement. As Shainis highlights from his extensive experience leading over 500 trainings on language, inclusion, and cultural humility, when messages are clear and accessible, people are more likely to participate, provide feedback, and become advocates for the cause. "When communication is clear, people not only understand the message but feel empowered to take action," says Shainis.

This is especially true when dealing with multilingual communities, where simplifying language also helps create better, more accurate translations, saving time and resources while ensuring everyone gets the right information, whether through alerts, academic tools, wellness resources, or other key features that keep everyone well connected. Translation efficiency improves when the content is straightforward, which is vital for platforms like ReachWell that serve diverse communities.

Webinar: Simplify Communication:

Build Inclusion, Efficiency, and Trust

Hosted by: ReachWell and Simplify Language

Struggling to make your communication resonate with diverse audiences? Join us for an engaging 30-minute webinar that will transform the way you communicate! Led by communication expert Lee Shainis , who co-founded Intercambio Uniting Communities and has supported over 10,000 immigrants with language and cultural opportunities, and Zuben Bastani , Founder and CEO of ReachWell, who has extensive experience in leveraging technology to increase access and reduce barriers, this session will reveal practical strategies to foster inclusion, boost efficiency, and build trust.

Discover how you can take your communication—and your use of ReachWell—to the next level by making your messages resonate with diverse audiences and ensuring no one is left out.

Why Attend?

Transform Communication : Make your messages clear, impactful, and inclusive.
Boost Efficiency : Save time and increase engagement by simplifying your communication without losing quality.
Maximize ReachWell : Learn how to elevate your use of ReachWell to engage more people effectively.

Want to See How ReachWell Can Help You Simplify Communication?

Book a demo to explore how ReachWell's innovative platform can help your organization effectively connect with every community member, deliver critical information in over 130 languages, and foster deeper engagement.

Book a Demo with ReachWell Today!

Delta County Leads the Way in Strengthening Families

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:03:14 GMT

Delta County leaders praise the ReachWell app as a game-changer for overcoming barriers to essential services, revolutionizing real-time communication beyond emergency alerts, and ensuring no resident is left behind.

In the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope, Delta County is doing more than preserving its landscapes—it’s leading a groundbreaking initiative to support the next generation through resilience, equity, and inclusive communication technologies. Delta County is setting a powerful precedent by becoming the first community to integrate human services and emergency management on the ReachWell® platform. This strategic move strengthens family support, enhances community resilience and ensures no family is left behind.

Through its partnership with ReachWell, Delta County has addressed communication barriers such as language differences, changing phone numbers, and privacy concerns. ReachWell’s multilingual communication tools enable every resident to access vital resources, regardless of their circumstances. Delta County stands out as the first to integrate both human services and emergency management into a platform that supports real-time communication across more than 130 languages.

In a statement, Delta County announced its excitement as the first Human Services department in the state to launch ReachWell-based notifications for critical services. Delta County Human Services Director Anne Gallegos said, “Human Services provides critical resources to residents across Delta County, many of whom don’t use social media, don’t have a consistent phone number, and don’t speak or read English as their primary language. The ReachWell app, with its accessibility features, built-in resource library, links, and automatic translation, will allow Human Services to directly communicate critical updates about services and resources to our citizens, which we hope will help meet their needs faster.”

Gallegos also highlighted the collaboration’s impact, noting that the integration allows them to "reach families where they are, ensuring they receive critical information in real time—whether it’s about services or safety," and emphasized the department’s commitment to improving communication with every resident.

The Game-Changing Impact of ReachWell for Public Information Officers in Human Services and Emergency Management

Multilingual and Accessible Tools: Closing the Communication Gap

Building an Equitable Ecosystem in Delta County

This initiative is part of a broader effort to create an equitable ecosystem across Delta County, including Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Orchard City, and Crawford. The diverse population of the region faces unique challenges that underscore the need for equitable communication. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Delta County has:

Over 15% of residents living below the poverty line.
Approximately 7% of the population with a disability.
More than 8% of residents speaking a language other than English at home.

Additionally, the Delta County 911 center’s service area extends beyond the physical boundaries of Delta County and includes the rural and isolated areas of Western Gunnison County in the Town of Somerset and residents along County Road 265, County Road 12 and McClure Pass; as well as rural eastern Montrose County south of Crawford to the North Rim of the Black Canyon National Park, a popular tourist destination. Delta County 911 and Emergency Management are responsible for emergency alerts to this entire service area and these statistics highlight the critical need for multilingual communication tools and inclusive platforms like ReachWell. By adopting ReachWell, Delta County ensures that no family is left behind, and every resident can access emergency and social service updates, regardless of language or socioeconomic status.

Why Equitable Communication in Human Services Matters

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) has long advocated for equitable communication as essential to improving outcomes for individuals and families. Ensuring that every family—especially those from underserved and marginalized populations—has access to the information they need is crucial for navigating services such as housing, healthcare, and emergency resources. However, language differences, socioeconomic disparities, and technological limitations often prevent families from accessing these critical services. APHSA emphasizes the need for data-driven communication strategies and multilingual tools to overcome these challenges. Delta County’s adoption of ReachWell aligns with this strategy, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Kris Stewart, Delta County Emergency Manager, stated, “Delta County is committed to ensuring all citizens and visitors to our county receive emergency alerts when minutes matter most so everyone can take steps to protect their family in an emergency.” He noted how ReachWell ensures alerts are available in languages beyond English and Spanish and reaches residents who may not have a consistent phone number or need accessible features like alerts read aloud.

Additionally, the CU Inclusive Language and Access in Emergency Alerts Report revealed that over 500,000 people in Colorado have hearing or visual disabilities, and 250,000 people speak a language other than English. These populations are often the last to receive life-saving information during emergencies due to language and accessibility barriers. By incorporating multilingual emergency alerts through ReachWell, Delta County directly addresses these disparities, ensuring that all families—regardless of their language or ability—receive the information they need to stay safe and informed.

Unlock the Power of Data-Driven Communication

Transform Your Public Outreach with ReachWell’s Inclusive Tools

Are you ready to see how ReachWell can revolutionize communication for your community? Schedule a demo today to learn how your organization can leverage this platform to build a resilient, inclusive communication system that empowers every family, regardless of language or barriers.

Don’t wait—join the growing number of communities using ReachWell to transform their communication strategies. For more information on how Delta County is leading the way, check out the full story HERE .

The Path Forward

Delta County's integration of human services and emergency management through the ReachWell platform marks a pivotal step toward creating an equitable and resilient community. By addressing communication barriers and providing multilingual support, ReachWell ensures that every family—regardless of language, socioeconomic status, or technological ability—can access vital resources and information.

This collaboration between local leaders and ReachWell underscores a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that no family is left behind during times of crisis or need. With real-time alerts and comprehensive support, Delta County sets a standard for effective communication that strengthens families and enhances community resilience.

As we move forward, we invite Public Information Officers and community leaders to embrace this transformative opportunity. Join us in our upcoming webinar to learn how data-driven strategies can enhance communication efforts and empower families to thrive. Together, we can build a future where every resident has the information they need to stay safe, informed, and supported.

Join 'Ready Now: Emergency Preparedness Made Simple' – A Campaign for Emergency Preparedness Month

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 01:53:13 GMT

Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering joins ReachWell to ensure people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities have the tools and knowledge they need to confidently prepare for emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness Month is already in full swing, and we’re excited to share that ReachWell has partnered with the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) for the Ready Now: Emergency Preparedness Made Simple campaign. This initiative is focused on ensuring that individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) have the tools and knowledge they need to confidently prepare for emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness Month: A Time to Take Action

September is Emergency Preparedness Month, a time when communities nationwide focus on preparing for potential disasters. For individuals with IDD, the challenges of emergency preparedness are unique, often involving barriers to accessing and understanding critical information. That's why the Ready Now campaign is committed to making preparedness simple, accessible, and effective for all.

Throughout the month, Ready Now will be sharing valuable resources designed for individuals with IDD and their caregivers, including:

Practical tips on preparing for various emergencies.
Step-by-step guides for creating personalized evacuation plans.
Engaging content on accessing and organizing medical supplies and responding to emergency alerts.

The goal is to ensure that every person in the IDD community has the tools they need to stay safe and protect their loved ones during a crisis.

Why ReachWell is the Perfect Partner for Emergency Preparedness

We are proud that CIDE has joined the ReachWell platform to enhance their ability to communicate with the community during emergencies. ReachWell’s unique features make it a powerful tool for emergency agencies looking to connect with diverse populations:

Multilingual support in over 130 languages , ensuring no community member is left behind due to language barriers.
Privacy-first communication with no need for an account, phone number, or location sharing, making it easy to access critical updates.
Real-time emergency alerts , allowing agencies to send critical updates and gather feedback from the public.
Accessibility for all , including those with limited tech literacy, ensuring inclusive communication across the board.

These features make ReachWell an essential tool for emergency management, enabling agencies to deliver timely and accessible information to every resident, regardless of language or technical capability.

How You Can Get Involved

It’s not too late to join the Ready Now campaign and ensure that emergency preparedness is inclusive and accessible to all. You can explore helpful resources and learn more about how to get involved by visiting the CIDE website . Additionally, you can stay updated by following CIDEF on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and YouTube for updates and tips on staying safe and prepared.

Stay Connected with ReachWell

To make sure you have the most up-to-date emergency preparedness information, download the ReachWell app today and add CIDE as a channel. With ReachWell, you’ll receive real-time notifications in your preferred language, without the need to create an account.

How to Get Started:

Download the ReachWell app from your app store.
Set your language preference.
Add CIDE to your channel list.

By joining the Ready Now campaign, you are playing a key role in helping make emergency preparedness more inclusive for everyone. Together, we can build safer, more resilient communities during Emergency Preparedness Month and beyond.

How Inclusive Communication Strengthens Communities and Builds Resilience

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:28:09 GMT

Take Our Free Assessment to Uncover Gaps and Improve Engagement!

In every community, communication is the heartbeat that connects families to the resources, services and support they need to thrive. It’s more than just sharing information; it’s about making sure every voice is heard and every family has the opportunity to access what they need to help children grow up healthy and supported. When communication is clear, inclusive and accessible, it empowers families to make informed decisions that positively impact their well-being, their children’s futures and the community as a whole.

But for too many families, barriers stand in the way. Evolving socio-economic challenges—like access to food, stable housing, and healthcare—make it difficult for some of our most vulnerable community members to stay connected. These barriers impact social determinants of health—factors like education, employment, and safety—that are essential for children’s well-being. When families are left behind, the entire community feels the impact.

The Impact of Communication on Family Support and Child Well-Being

Consider a family struggling to find stable housing. Their phone number changes frequently, and they don’t have consistent internet access. For them, receiving important updates about available housing services, regular classroom updates or their child’s health checkups becomes incredibly difficult. These communication gaps can directly impact the child’s development and family stability. Ensuring that every family, regardless of their circumstances, has access to critical information is essential for building strong, resilient communities.

Addressing Communication Challenges in a Changing World

As socio-economic trends evolve, reaching priority audiences—especially underserved families—requires overcoming increasingly complex barriers.

Digital Access: Nearly 30% of U.S. households with incomes below $30,000 lack high-speed internet access, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center report. This makes it difficult for low-income families to use online resources for vital services like healthcare and housing.
Language Barriers: Over 21% of U.S. households speak a language other than English at home, per the U.S. Census Bureau. Non-English speakers often face significant challenges in accessing essential information. For example, a Spanish-speaking parent might miss a critical school update because the message wasn’t available in their language.
Tech Literacy: Older adults and those with limited tech skills face additional barriers. A 2023 Pew Research study shows that 25% of adults over 65 struggle with using digital tools, which impacts their ability to access online resources.
Homelessness : Individuals experiencing homelessness face even greater communication obstacles. According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, 22% of homeless individuals lack access to a stable phone or email, making it difficult for them to connect with service providers and support systems.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for inclusive and accessible communication strategies. When we acknowledge the diverse needs of our priority audiences—whether they face language barriers, tech gaps, or socio-economic challenges—we can ensure that everyone has access to the services and information necessary to thrive.

Inclusivity: Building Accessible Communication from the Start

Inclusive communication is more than just reaching out to people—it’s about creating messages that resonate, connect, and empower every community member. Ensuring that all communications are accessible from the start creates an environment where every parent, student, and community member can fully engage, regardless of their abilities.

This begins with the basics:

Clear, Simple Language: By using straightforward language, you reduce misunderstandings and ensure that all community members, including those with lower literacy levels, can access and act on the information you provide.
Multiple Formats: Providing information in various formats (like written, audio, and visual) ensures that people with different needs—whether they use screen readers, prefer text-to-speech options, or need larger print—can engage with your communication.
Digital Accessibility: All online content should be designed to be screen reader-friendly, following standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This ensures that individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities can easily navigate and understand your website, emails or digital communications.

By embracing universal design principles, you remove barriers for everyone—not just those whose disabilities are known. Many parents and students may have disabilities that aren’t immediately visible or disclosed to schools or service providers. By making communications universally accessible from the outset, schools, agencies and organizations can meet the needs of their entire community, where they are, without requiring detailed knowledge of individual circumstances. This proactive approach to inclusivity ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, can participate fully in the community.

Key Components of Inclusive Communication for Priority Audiences

Here’s how you can address the diverse needs of priority audiences and ensure inclusive communication:

Cultural Sensitivity: Tailor your messaging to reflect and respect the diverse backgrounds of your community members. Using culturally relevant examples and avoiding stereotypes helps build trust and engagement with your audience.
Accessibility: Ensuring your communication complies with standards like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is essential. This includes offering text alternatives for images, making your website compatible with screen readers, and using simple navigation to accommodate all abilities.
Language Support: Offering multilingual communication services ensures non-English speaking families can access vital information in their preferred language. For example, providing school or healthcare updates in multiple languages ensures that all families stay informed.
Tech Compatibility : Design your communication tools to work across various devices, from smartphones to older technology. Ensuring mobile-friendly emails and materials that function on low-bandwidth devices helps include low-income families who may not have the latest technology.
Literacy Assistance : Offering read-aloud features or simplified language options makes information accessible to individuals with varying literacy levels, ensuring that no one is left behind.

ReachWell®: Empowering Priority Audiences through Inclusive Communication

At ReachWell®, we understand the diverse communication needs of every community member. Our all-in-one communication platform is designed to address the unique challenges facing underserved populations—whether it’s adapting to language barriers, tech limitations or socio-economic inequalities.

Multilingual Support: With over 130 languages available, ReachWell® ensures immigrant and non-English speaking families can engage with critical services and updates.
Flexible Technology : Our platform is accessible on various devices, including older models, so families don’t miss out on important information due to tech limitations.
Support for Low-Trust Communities: By not requiring personal information or tracking, ReachWell® engages low-trust individuals while respecting their privacy, allowing trusted messengers to build lasting connections.

Streamline Your Communication Strategy Today

Is your communication strategy truly inclusive? Are you reaching all the families who need your services the most? Take our free Inclusive Communication Assessment and find out how well your current efforts meet the diverse needs of your community.

In just 15 minutes, you can complete our simple self-assessment tool to receive a summary assessment from our experts, including:

Evaluation: A comprehensive analysis of how well your strategies meet your community's needs.

Gaps: Key insights into where your communication may be missing priority audiences.

Solutions: Tailored recommendations on how ReachWell® can help close communication gaps and keep everyone connected.

Your commitment to improving communication can make a direct, lasting impact on your community. By addressing communication barriers, you’ll empower families, strengthen community connections, and enhance child well-being.

Start Now – Take the Free Assessment!

Let’s work together to ensure every community member has access to the information they need to thrive. By taking our free assessment, you’ll gain the insights and tools necessary to transform your communication strategy and build stronger, more resilient communities. The future of your community starts with inclusive communication—and with ReachWell®, it’s within your reach.

Connecting with Stressed Families

katie@reachwellapp.com (Katie Faccinello) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:07:52 GMT

Everyone carries unseen stress; effective communication can lighten the load.

In today's busy world, staying connected with parents who are doing their best can be hard but important. At ReachWell, we know how crucial it is to keep families at the center of clear and simple communication. As families and school staff get ready for the new school year, we want to share some tips for organizations and agencies that work with families under stress—whether it's the everyday stress of adjusting to new school routines or the intense stress of facing homelessness, job loss, or even domestic abuse. Everyone carries unseen stress; effective communications can lighten the load.

Here are eight easy-to-follow electronic communication strategies to help you connect effectively with families. These strategies are backed by research and best practices and are shown with examples of how ReachWell makes it easier for you and the families in your community to communicate.

1. Use Clear and Simple Language

Why it works: Writing at a third-grade reading level ensures accessibility for all parents, regardless of their literacy levels. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, nearly half of U.S. adults struggle with reading at an eighth-grade level. Simple language helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that all parents can easily comprehend the information. This can be particularly helpful for children of immigrants serving as interpreters for their parents and busy parents or caregivers working multiple jobs and little time to read long emails.
How we can help: ReachWell offers language simplification tools that suggest alternative language at a third-grade reading level, making it easier to revise communication to engage all communities.

2. Highlight Important Information

Why it works: The use of headers further organizes content, making it easier for parents to scan and find relevant sections. (You probably scanned this article without even thinking about it as you decided whether to read it.) Bolding key dates and events helps busy parents quickly identify important details. This technique draws attention to critical information, reducing the chance of it being overlooked. Our brains are naturally programmed to scan information before fully reading it. When we see text, our eyes first quickly scan for key words, phrases, or visuals that stand out. This helps us decide what’s important and whether we should pay closer attention. After scanning, we then focus on reading the details. This process allows us to quickly sort through information and find what we need.

How we can help: ReachWell's intuitive text editor allows for easy formatting, including bolding and headers, ensuring that important information is prominently displayed and easily accessible.

3. Keep Messages Concise

Why it works: We all have a lot on our plates and our minds. Raising kids and working leave limited time to go through emails or group text messages to find important information. Short sentences and co ncise messages respect their busy schedules. Short, direct communication is more likely to be read in full and remembered. The Harvard Business Review suggests that concise messages are more effective because they minimize cognitive load, making it easier for the reader to process and retain information.
How we can help: ReachWell provides pre-designed templates that encourage brevity and clarity. Additionally, composition tools condense content to deliver the information in fewer words.

4. Incorporate Simple Images

Why it works: According to a study by the University of Minnesota, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text, and they can improve comprehension by up to 89%. Visuals can enhance understanding and retention of information, but be mindful that images with words leave families relying on translation out of the picture . Simple, relevant images that convey emotion can help illustrate messages without overwhelming the reader.

How we can help: ReachWell allows authors to easily add emojis and images integrated into messages, helping to visually reinforce the content.

5. Improve Translation Practices

Why it works: Clear and direct language is crucial for accurate translation and understanding. Avoiding vague terms and cultural analogies prevents misinterpretation and ensures messages are clear across different languages. According to the American Translators Association, proper translation is essential for maintaining the message's integrity and clarity.

How we can help: ReachWell offers built-in translation features that support multiple languages, ensuring accurate and culturally sensitive translations that preserve the original message's intent.

6. Engage with Questions and Reminders

Why it works: Including questions and prompts can increase family engagement by inviting them to take action. Reminders are effective for ensuring important dates and actions are remembered. The Zeigarnik Effect, a psychological phenomenon, suggests that people remember uncompleted tasks better than completed ones , making reminders a powerful tool.
How we can help: ReachWell’s automated reminder system helps parents keep track of important dates and tasks, with customizable prompts and reminders that encourage timely action. Have you taken advantage of ReachWell’s automated reminders system?

7. Focus on Three Key Points

Why it works: Presenting information in sets of three leverages the brain's natural preference for patterns, known as the "Rule of Three." This principle suggests that three elements are more easily remembered and processed by the human brain, which is particularly helpful given that most adults can hold around three to five items in working memory. By focusing on three key points, messages are more likely to be understood and retained by busy families , enhancing communication effectiveness.
How we can help: ReachWell’s AI content structuring tools can summarize content into a few short bullet points, ensuring that communications are both memorable and easily digestible for parents.

8. Communicate in Their Preferred Language

Why it works: When families get information in their own language, they feel understood and included, which helps build trust between them and schools. Research shows that when parents understand what's being shared, they are more involved in their child's education. The U.S. Department of Education found that schools using families' languages saw better involvement. Communicating effectively is especially important when families are under stress. When parents face challenges, like financial or health issues, clear communication in their preferred language helps reduce confusion and worry. This support makes it easier for families to help their children succeed. Speaking in a family’s language shows respect and helps everyone feel more comfortable, even during tough times.
How we can help: ReachWell®'s inclusive communications platform used by hundreds of agencies, schools, and nonprofits across the nation give everyone from teachers in the classroom to executive directors and community-organizers a cost-effective tool to connect with every community member in over 130 languages. Accessible design delivers the alerts, academic tools, and wellness resources to keep everyone "well reached."

Example Welcome Back to School Message

Welcome Back, Families! �� We are thrilled to start the new school year on Thursday, August 15th at 8:30 am.

Have you completed all the necessary forms and got all the supplies for the first day of school? There is still time. reach out to us anytime! To help your child transition smoothly, we've planned a special Back-to-School Night on August 14th at 6 PM. Join us for a fun evening to meet the teachers and learn about the exciting year ahead!

All questions are good questions! Chat through the ReachWell app or reply anytime. We're here to support you and your child's educational journey. Let's make this year great together!"

Welcome Back - we hope you had a great summer!

By following these best practices, you can communicate effectively with stressed families using ReachWell. Research and experience show that clear, concise, and well-structured messages not only save time but also enhance understanding and engagement. Whether you're sending updates about school events or important reminders about benefit enrollments, these strategies, combined with ReachWell's unique tools, will help keep parents informed and families thriving.

References

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), U.S. Department of Education.

Harvard Business Review, "Why Conciseness in Communication Is Key," 2020.

University of Minnesota, "Impact of Visuals on Learning and Comprehension," 2017.

McKinsey & Company, "The Power of Personalization," 2019.

American Translators Association, "Best Practices in Translation," 2018.

Zeigarnik, B. (1927). "On Finished and Unfinished Tasks," Psychological Research.

Miller, G. A. (1956). "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information," Psychological Review.

U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Toolkit of Resources for Engaging Families and the Community as Partners in Education: Part 1: Building an Understanding of Family and Community Engagement. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education website.

Discover Inclusive Community Engagement with ReachWell ®

Interested in learning more about how you can leverage ReachWell® to improve your inclusive communications strategy?

Denver Prepares Asylum Seekers to Enter the Workforce Leveraging Inclusive Communications Technology

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:24:10 GMT

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity Partners With Reachwell® To Ensure Newcomers are "WorkReady"

An inclusive communications strategy is crucial across all programs aimed at bettering people’s lives to ensure everyone feels valued, understood, and included. How we communicate is particularly critical and challenging when the people we communicate with are newcomers from regions worldwide, speaking many different languages and dialects. Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) are modeling an inclusive communications strategy for workforce readiness when working with immigrants using ReachWell, and the entire nation is watching.

Since December 2022, Denver has assisted over 42,000 individuals from the southern border. Mayor Johnston’s strategy to address the migrant crisis focuses on long-term, comprehensive support, including workforce training, housing, food, transportation, and assistance with asylum applications. The WorkReady Denver Program, as part of the Denver Asylum Seekers Program (DASP) , aims to equip newcomers with the skills and opportunities needed for legal employment, addressing labor shortages in various industries. The program, which recently began, will impact 800 children and adults, as many parents are among the 350 individuals already enrolled, marking a significant step toward integrating asylum seekers into the workforce enrolled in DASP, participating in the program for approximately six months until they receive federal work authorization.

“Time and time again, newcomers tell me what they want most is the ability to work and provide for their families,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “This program opens up training opportunities so individuals have the skills and education they need when they are legally able to enter the workforce. I’m so proud of our Denver Workforce Development team and our partners for stepping up to meet this need.”

Leveraging ReachWell®'s Inclusive Communications Platform

Effective communication is crucial for the success of workforce development programs, and this is where the ReachWell® communications platform comes into play. With the ability to deliver information in over 130 languages, ReachWell® ensures that all community members, including asylum seekers, have access to essential resources. “Strong communication is key to success in any program, but especially with this many moving parts,” said Newcomer Program Director Sarah Plastino. “ReachWell gives us the tools we need to keep the Denver Asylum Seekers Program on time, on track, and on message.”

Key Features of the ReachWell®

Accessibility in Over 130 Languages: Ensuring diverse community members can access information in their preferred language.
Clear Communication: Unlike social media platforms, ReachWell® delivers information without advertising algorithms, enhancing the user experience.
Privacy-Friendly: Users do not need to create an account or provide personal details such as their address or phone number.

“ReachWell® is designed to overcome barriers common in underserved communities, such as language translation and literacy, income and mobility, tech-literacy, and documentation status,” said Zuben Bastani, CEO and Founder of ReachWell®. “We are striving to provide an ecosystem for families, schools, agencies, and nonprofits to engage one another with academic, safety, and social assistance resources.”

Denver Asylum Seekers Subscribe to ReachWell Channel - WorkReady Denver

WorkReady Denver is designed to provide a comprehensive pathway for asylum seekers to gain legal employment. The program offers a blend of classroom learning, industry-recognized credentialing, and unpaid internships, ensuring participants receive theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Areleidis Chiquillo was among hundreds of asylum-seekers gathered at the Community College of Denver to begin the ambitious work training program, featured by Daniella Silva, a national reporter for NBC News focusing on immigration and education highlighting Denver asylum-seekers hopeful as work training program starts ‘to completely change our lives . She and her husband brought their 2-month-old baby and 5-year-old daughter to the first training. Following the training, asylum seekers will communicate in their preferred language on ReachWell by following the WorkReady Denver channel to stay engaged in the program and connect to resources in the community.

WorkReady Denver's approach to workforce development mirrors ReachWell's approach to developing the platform - placing family at the center of its design. The WorkReady Denver program provided childcare at its first training, recognizing that integrating childcare into workforce development strategies is essential for fostering economic growth, supporting family well-being, and promoting inclusive and equitable access to employment opportunities

ReachWell was proud to attend the successful launch event for the program integrating new immigrants into the labor force , pictured below, and in less than a month over 65% of people enrolled in the program have subscribed to the ReachWell Channel.

Each household enrolled in DASP commits to 20 hours of weekly WorkReady training. This initiative not only addresses the needs of newcomers but also helps fill labor gaps in essential sectors.

Industries covered include:

Restaurant/Hospitality
Retail
Warehouse/Logistics
Construction
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Early Childhood Education

According to a recent update to the Denver City Council , the 'WorkReady' program for immigrants has already attracted more than 70 employers ready to legally employ trained immigrants seeking asylum for high-paying jobs in industries with workforce shortages through the program.

Collaboration with Trusted Messengers

The City and County of Denver have also partnered with Centro de los Trabajadores (Centro), a well-respected and trusted messenger to the city's immigrant community, to administer the WorkReady program. Centro has committed to placing at least 70% of participants into full-time employment with an average wage of $20/hour upon completion of the program and receipt of work authorization. “Centro de los Trabajadores - Colorado is excited to expand our worker center model of labor integration and job readiness through the WorkReady Denver program,” said Mayra Juarez-Denis, Executive Director of Centro de los Trabajadores. “By investing in this program, we are not just creating employment opportunities but also transitioning workers from charity to the dignity of work.”

WorkForce Denver will use a unique ReachWell feature to empower local partners from various organizations to collaborate by communicating to hundreds of asylum seekers through one unified channel. Classes are held both online and in-person at Centro San Juan Diego and the Community College of Denver (CCD), covering ESL, digital literacy, workers’ rights, and industry-specific training. AT&T has contributed 700 laptops and over $90,000 to support digital literacy coursework, ensuring participants have the necessary tools for success, including ReachWell. “Our collaboration with the City and County of Denver and Centro de los Trabajadores will help equip new entrants with the knowledge and tools necessary for building their futures,” said Guillermo Lambarri, Director of External & Legislative Affairs at AT&T Colorado. “Computers are vital to our community's success.”

Looking Forward

Denver's innovative approach to integrating asylum seekers into the workforce through the WorkReady Denver Program, supported by inclusive communication tools like ReachWell®, sets a new standard for community engagement and support. Denver’s partnership with ReachWell® and other community organizations like Vive Wellness, Papagayo, Haven of Hope, and Village Exchange Center ensures that all families can access critical information and resources. Newcomers enrolled in the program will soon have mobile phones to take full advantage of the all-in-one platform that offers ways to engage in unified communication in their preferred language: on the mobile application, email, text, two-way chat, web, and voice calls PLUS:

Calendars and Events
Resource Referrals
Forms and Surveys.

Discover Inclusive Community Engagement with ReachWell ®

Interested in learning more about how you can leverage ReachWell® to improve your inclusive communications strategy?

El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority Partners With ReachWell To Deliver Emergency Alerts In Multiple Languages

katie@reachwellapp.com (Katie Faccinello) — Tue, 14 May 2024 15:12:04 GMT

The El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority is proud to announce its partnership with ReachWell to bolster Peak Alerts, the alert and warning system utilized by 9-1-1 centers in El Paso and Teller County

El Paso/Teller County - The El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority is proud to announce its partnership with ReachWell to bolster Peak Alerts, the alert and warning system utilized by 9-1-1 centers in El Paso and Teller County.

Through this collaboration, all Peak Alerts will seamlessly integrate with the ReachWell app, allowing users to access critical alerts in their preferred language. The ReachWell app makes emergency alerts available in more than 130 languages, ensuring that emergency information reaches diverse communities effectively.

The ReachWell app offers a user-friendly experience. It does not require a user to create an account or provide personal information to receive emergency alerts. Available for download on the App Store and Google Play, the ReachWell app equips users with essential information during emergencies.

To receive Peak Alerts via the ReachWell app, users can follow these three simple steps:

1. Download the ReachWell App wherever you download apps or visit rwell.us/ElPasoCO and accept push notifications

2. Select Preferred Language

3. Add Peak Alerts While the ReachWell app enhances accessibility to emergency alerts, the El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority wants to stress the importance of maintaining multiple communication channels during crises. Residents are encouraged to register for Peak Alerts at PeakAlerts.org to receive alerts via text message, phone call, and email, in addition to using the ReachWell app.

To learn more about ReachWell® visit www.reachwellapp.com

Download the release

Apps are helping teachers communicate with families that don’t speak English

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:18:24 GMT

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

Schools in the Denver area and elsewhere are using apps to communicate more easily with families that don't speak English. Families that use ReachWell, for example, see a text that a teacher wrote in English in the language of their choice, while a teacher can see a reply from that family in English even though it was written in another language. (Maskot / Getty Images)

Bridging Gaps: The Power of Understanding Languages in Community Leadership

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 20:20:34 GMT

On average, ReachWell ® identifies 25% more languages in a community after only a few months.

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, non-profits, and agencies, effective leadership requires a deep understanding of the communities served. One often underestimated aspect of community engagement is the diversity of languages spoken within it. The ReachWell ® app, with its innovative language report , now offers leaders of schools, agencies, and non-profits a groundbreaking tool to uncover the rich linguistic tapestry of their community.

For leaders who have struggled in the past to identify the languages spoken by families in their community, the ReachWell ® app provides a game-changing solution. Traditional methods may fall short, but our app goes beyond boundaries to capture the essence of linguistic diversity. On average, ReachWell ® powerful analytics deliver actionable insights after a few months, identifying 25% more languages in a community. For example, if organizational leadership thought 12 languages were used within their community, our analytics show 15 languages being used to receive information through ReachWell ®. Once you know someone's preferred language, then you can begin to take your work to the next level.

Here's how leaders can benefit from learning all the languages spoken in their community:

You don't know what you don't know until you have ReachWell ® reporting driving results. The ReachWell ® app's language report is a valuable asset for leaders in schools, agencies, and non-profits. By unlocking the diverse linguistic landscape of their community, leaders can build bridges, foster inclusivity, and tailor their approach to better serve and engage the families they support. In a world where communication is key, understanding the languages spoken is a powerful tool for effective and impactful leadership.

Unlock Community Insights with ReachWell ® : Transform Engagement Challenges Today!

Interested in learning more about how ReachWell® can provide insight into your community engagement challenges in your community?

Moving Toward Inclusive Emergency Alerts in Colorado

katie@reachwellapp.com (Katie Faccinello) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:09:19 GMT

A study has found that emergency alerts in Colorado need to be more inclusive to warn over 250,000 Coloradans who primarily speak a language other than English and more than 500,000 people with hearing and visual disabilities.

Gaps in emergency communications during the Grizzly Creek and Marshall fires led to media attention, and 2023 legislation commissioning the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder to identify best practices for inclusive alerting and offer recommendations to improve current alert systems in Colorado that address language and access needs.

An Assessment and Recommendations for Language and Disability Considerations

Researchers recently released their findings and recommendations for Colorado to become a national leader in emergency alerting and save lives when inevitable emergencies happen. The report emphasizes that emergency alert systems must consider the diverse needs of populations, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP) and disabilities, to improve alerting for all communities. The report also found that many emergency response personnel are interested in making alerts more inclusive but need more guidance, funding, and personnel to do so adequately.

"Research shows that certain populations are more likely to experience harm from disasters. These include but are not limited to people with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities who we focus on in this report," said Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, a Natural Hazards Center research associate who worked on the report. "By developing emergency alert systems that consider these populations' diverse needs, we can improve alerting for all communities. These considerations are essential to provide life-saving information to all Coloradans when disasters occur."

Among the findings in the report, researchers describe Colorado’s alert systems and processes as a “patchwork that, while flexible, makes it challenging to provide consistent and accessible emergency alerts.” However, this flexibility has allowed many county emergency managers to get ahead of the curve and embrace inclusive communications by adopting ReachWell, highlighted in the report. A Denver-based social venture, ReachWell has supported inclusive communications for six years, working with hundreds of school systems, nonprofits, and government agencies, including 12 emergency notification systems in Colorado. The platform is equity-based and accommodates language diversity, literacy, privacy, government distrust, and income challenges, all well-known huddles to those working to address social issues. “We appreciate the counties’ ability to choose an alerting system that supports their unique needs. We also understand the need for counties to have consistency as a public-facing accessible alerting platform which is why ReachWell is being chosen by counties across the state that have a variety of Emergency Notification Systems,” shared Zuben Bastani, Founder and CEO of ReachWell.

Colorado Counties Ahead of the Curve

ECAlerts, Eagle County's emergency alert system, is among the many counties in Colorado using ReachWell to send emergency alerts, with several more agencies slated to launch the app in their communities in 2024. " There isn’t another tool that does what ReachWell does. It’s connecting to our existing systems, making it possible for every community member to receive emergency alerts in their preferred language for the first time ,” said Birch Barron, Eagle County Emergency Manager. “But, we aren’t just checking a box to say that we offer translated messages. Now, our challenge is to encourage every new visitor, property owner, and community member to get the app to receive everything from updates on severe weather and unexpected road closures to notifications about missing persons or evacuations of buildings and neighborhoods."

Neighboring counties, Pitkin and Garfield, have also recently incorporated ReachWell into their emergency response system. “We are a resort community and our population goes anywhere from about 17,000 residents up to 50K during what we call high season, which seems to be all the time now. One of the pillars of emergency management is that we serve all members of our community equitably. And, to that point, we know it is imperative that we communicate effectively with everybody. ” Despite our best efforts, we knew we were falling short,” said Valerie MacDonald, Pitkin County Emergency Manager. “The bottom line is we solved translating Pitkin Alerts in a hurry. It’s there and it’s available and we are working on increasing our enrollment.”

Equity in Emergency Management

According to FEMA , the importance of equity in emergency management is not a new concept. Historically underserved communities experience differences in preparedness and mitigation measures as well as how quickly their communities can resume social and economic life after a disaster. CU researchers identified several barriers to issuing and receiving inclusive alerts:

Emergency alerts may not be available in multiple languages.
The distribution of emergency alerts in languages other than English is often delayed, leaving populations to seek out other sources of information.
Emergency alerts may be distributed in ways that are inaccessible or undesirable.
LEP populations and populations with disabilities may lack trust in government agencies, which may reduce their engagement with emergency alerts.
Cultural context is often missing from translated emergency alert messages.
Many LEP populations may be unfamiliar with hazards in the United States.

ReachWell is overcoming hurdles to ensure everyone has access to safety alerts.

Recommendations for Colorado

When preparing the report, CU researchers surveyed emergency response personnel in Colorado such as 9-1-1 offices and Public Safety Answering Points, emergency managers, sheriffs, public information officers, police chiefs/officials, and fire officials, and found interest in incorporating systems and practices that would make alerts more inclusive is high but recommended that more guidance, funds, and personnel are needed to do so adequately. Many ReachWell partners have struggled with identifying, training, and retaining the right personnel to support their alerts. Even with a fully staffed team, knowing the languages required in any situation is impossible. Further, when seconds mean lives waiting on humans to deliver translations for minutes, it could result in catastrophic consequences. ReachWell offers a cost-effective solution that we have successfully implemented with positive feedback across Colorado.

Interested in learning more about how ReachWell is helping emergency managers deliver inclusive translated emergency alerts?

5 Tips to Drive Meaningful Family Engagement

katie@reachwellapp.com (Katie Faccinello) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:33:49 GMT

Jesse Martinez CEO and Chief Social Impact Strategist for Empowered People offers advice to ReachWell clients to help make 2024 the best year for family engagement. Read on for five tips to help you drive meaningful family engagement with those around you.

The essence of family engagement lies in creating an environment where every family, irrespective of background or culture, feels welcomed, included, and actively participates in their children's well-being and academic success. Achieving this deepened family engagement requires a commitment to communication, inclusivity, accessibility and cultural understanding where diverse families are not just acknowledged but respected and seen as an asset.

The power of family engagement extends far beyond involvement—but fosters meaningful relationships that drive positive change, deepened connection and trust. Read on for five tips to help you drive meaningful family engagement with those around you.

1 Strategic Communication
Schools and nonprofits alike must adopt diverse communication channels, ensuring that every family, irrespective of background or capability, feels valued and welcomed. Embracing multilingual approaches, accessible online platforms like ReachWell, and community partnerships expand the reach and foster inclusivity.

2 Tailoring Initiatives to Diverse Needs
Recognizing that engagement is not uniform, the most impactful institutions tailor their initiatives to meet the diverse needs and interests of families. Whether it's providing translated resources, conducting workshops on financial literacy, or organizing events that celebrate cultural diversity, these tailored initiatives resonate deeply within the community, where they see themselves represented and feel a sense of belonging as a part of your school or organization.

3 Empowerment and Collaboration

Empowerment forms the bedrock of impactful family engagement. Schools and nonprofits can empower families by offering skill-building opportunities, leadership development programs, and opportunities for active participation in decision-making processes. Collaborations within the community amplify the impact, offering a broader range of resources and opportunities for families to thrive and have their voices heard.

4 Continuous Improvement through Feedback
A crucial element in driving high-impact engagement is a commitment to continuous improvement. Soliciting feedback from families through surveys, focus groups, and open forums ensures that programs remain relevant, effective, and responsive to evolving needs. This culture of co-creation fosters an environment where families feel heard and valued.

5 Relationship-Building
When families feel genuinely engaged and supported by nonprofits and schools, they become more invested in their community's growth and development. This investment doesn't just benefit the individuals involved; it creates a ripple effect that uplifts the entire community. This type of relationship-building fosters a culture of collective responsibility and collaboration where families, educators, and nonprofits can come together to pool their resources, skills, and knowledge to address challenges and co-create solutions.

For schools and nonprofits alike, the commitment to adopting these five meaningful family engagement practices represents a change in how we see and work with families. It acknowledges families as integral partners where schools and nonprofits co-create opportunities for shared success that positively benefit families and their children.

ReachWell hosted Jesse Martinez CEO and Chief Social Impact Strategist for Empowered People to offer learning opportunities on driving student achievement through family engagement. Watch Now: 30-min video and actionable tool to assess your family engagement practices.

Improving the Education of Migratory Children

katie@reachwellapp.com (Katie Faccinello) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:07:12 GMT

Colorado Migrant Education Program joins ReachWell to connect with Colorado’s five Migrant Education regions across the state, as well as with students and their families.

ReachWell is excited to announce the Colorado Migrant Education Program (MEP) will now be using ReachWell to connect with Colorado’s five Migrant Education regions across the state, as well as with students and their families. The Office of Migrant Education at the Colorado Department of Education Migrant Education Program, federally funded under Title I, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), provides supplemental support to eligible migrant children and youth.

The US Department of Education Migrant Education Program goal is to ensure that all migratory children reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a HSED) that prepares them for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment.

National goals for this program are:

Support high-quality and comprehensive educational programs and services for during the school year and, as applicable, during summer or intersession periods, that address the unique educational needs of migratory children.
Ensure that migratory children who move among the States are not penalized in any manner by disparities among the States in curriculum, graduation requirements, and challenging State academic standards.
Ensure that migratory children receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards that all children are expected to meet.
Help migratory children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that inhibit the ability of such children to do well in school.
Ensure that migratory children benefit from State and local systemic reforms.

Overcoming hurdles, like language translation and literacy, income and mobility, tech-literacy and documentation status, often stand in the way of achieving these goals, as well as the health and wellbeing of migratory children. “ ReachWell was created to ensure everyone has access to vital academic and social assistance information, including migratory children and their families. We are proud that ReachWell has been chosen by MEP to streamline and simplify communications, while improving accessibility and inclusiveness for migratory children across Colorado, ” said Zuben Bastani, CEO & Founder of ReachWell. “ We look forward to playing a critical role in improving outcomes for students throughout the state .”

Build an inclusive communication plan

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:50:25 GMT

In this actionable workshop we walk community leaders and communication directors through our winning approach to build and share a one-page communication plan. Join us for a 30-minute workshop where you'll walk away with an effective communication strategy you can begin implementing immediately.

Tap here to register to watch instantly.

In this actionable workshop we walk community leaders and communication directors through our winning approach to build and share a one-page communication plan. Join us for a 30-minute workshop where you'll walk away with an effective communication strategy you can begin implementing immediately.

Tap here to register to watch instantly.

10 Back-to-School Tips to Engage Low-income and Migrant Families

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 02:47:28 GMT

Amidst the excitement and anticipation of the back-to-school season comes the anxiety and fear of engaging our hard-to-reach families. For low-income and migrant families, this time can bring unique challenges that schools and nonprofits play a crucial role in addressing. Here are ten valuable back-to-school tips for schools and nonprofits committed to serving low-income and migrant families.

1. Collaborate with Local Schools and Nonprofits

Nonprofits can forge partnerships with local schools to understand their specific needs and collaborate on programs that cater to low-income and migrant students.

Schools can build and share their community partner directory with categories based on services (Legal, Housing, Food, etc.). Keeping this in a simple digital format assures next year's team will be able to own and update it.

ReachWell Tip: ReachWell schools and nonprofits promote one another via banners and resources to double their impact on families.

2. Provide Educational Workshops

Host workshops for parents and caregivers that focus on navigating the education system, helping with homework, and supporting their children's learning journey. These workshops can empower parents to actively participate in their children's education.

Schools can share their space with nonprofit partners to run a Parent Academy workshop before drop-off and after pickup. Parent Academy content should focus on navigating the education system, helping with homework, and supporting their children's learning journey. These workshops can empower parents to actively participate in their children's education. Utilize AI or live language translation tools to make it an inviting environment. Record the sessions for later viewing.

ReachWell Tip: Add these events to both the school and nonprofit calendars. Send announcements three weeks ahead of time with weekly reminders to RSVP and include translation as an RSVP option. Share the recording community-wide after the session to reach those who are unable to make it. Set the expectation that all families do this.

3. Language and Cultural Support

For migrant families, language barriers and cultural differences can be significant challenges. Offer language assistance services and culturally sensitive resources to ensure that parents can communicate effectively with teachers and school administrators.

4. Offer Financial Assistance
Low-income families often struggle to afford school-related expenses. Schools can partner with nonprofits to provide financial assistance for items like uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities. Create a transparent application process to ensure those in need can access this support.

ReachWell Tip: Expect no family to fill this out. Combat that by setting the expectation that all families complete this regardless if they need it or not. ReachWell can translate this form and push translated messages with instructions to families via the app, text, and website.

5. Start Early and Raise Awareness

Launch your back-to-school initiatives well before the academic year begins (though it's never too late). As a nonprofit, raise awareness in the community about available resources, such as school supplies, educational workshops, and health services.

As a school promote back-to-school night, first day, and registration deadlines with clear instructions.

ReachWell Tip : Leverage messages, banners, texting, website, and social posts with ReachWell to get the word out. Verify the calendar is updated with all relevant times and locations.

6: Offer Tutoring and Homework Help
Create after-school tutoring programs or homework help sessions for students who may need additional academic support. Enlist volunteers, including high school or college students, to provide one-on-one assistance.

7. Promote Health and Well-being
Good health is crucial for effective learning. Arrange health check-ups, vaccinations, and eye exams for students, especially those from families without access to regular healthcare. Provide resources on nutrition and physical activity as well.

ReachWell Tip: Incorporate your community partners in your ReachWell banners, resources, and calendar events to increase community awareness.

8. Digital Access and Literacy
In the digital age, having access to technology is essential for education. Work to bridge the digital divide by providing laptops, tablets, or internet connectivity to families who cannot afford them. Additionally, offers digital literacy workshops to ensure both students and parents can effectively use technology for learning.

9. Foster a Positive Learning Environment
Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for students and their families. Organize back-to-school events that celebrate diversity and encourage community bonding. When families feel connected and valued, students are more likely to thrive academically.

ReachWell Tip: Update the colors, icons, and banners on the app to celebrate the diversity in the community.

10. Rinse and Repeat

Learn from your activity during back-to-school and apply those changes to next semester's activities. Engagement is not a once-a-year event, to build trust and resilient relationships consistent events throughout the year are needed.

ReachWell Tip : Try offering meetings at different times of the day on different days of the week to learn what works best. Before school vs. after school will draw different families.

The back-to-school season is a time of promise and excitement for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. Nonprofits serving low-income and migrant families have the incredible opportunity to ensure that these students have the support and resources they need to succeed. By following these 10 back-to-school tips, these organizations can make a lasting impact on the lives of these families, promoting equity, education, and empowerment in their communities.

Your communication plan: It's kind of a big deal

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:28:13 GMT

The pilot recites the checklist, "Altimeter – set. Engine idle – checked. Flaps – checked. Fuel gauges – checked..." This simple procedure assures that things will go as planned and issues are identified early.

Like the checklist, a communication plan assures the path ahead is free of preventable issues and all involved are confident and prepared when turbulence hits... and it will always hit.

Here are five reasons why a plan is a big deal for you and your community.

1. Consistent information wherever they need it.

Imagine if everyone was informed with the same information regardless of where they accessed it. A communication plan will ensure that information is consistent across mediums avoiding pitfalls and confusion.

TIP: Do not use Instagram or Facebook for timely information. Their marketing algorithm doesn't list messages chronologically which could create confusion.

2. Build Trust
Trust is like a secret ingredient that makes communities resilient and brings everyone together. A transparent communication plan can build trust by informing who will be informed with what content on what schedule.

TIP: Send your communication plan to your community and publish it in a publicly accessible place for all to see.

3. Managing through Crisis
All agencies and organizations face crises. That's where your communication plan is a superhero. A good plan will be a guide for staff and set expectations for your community. If something fails or things don't go as planned, the community should reflect on the plan to understand what what wrong, not any one individual. Learn from these experiences and adjust your plan to be better next time.

TIP: Keep the plan public and easy to access to allow for modifications. Review those changes at your community and team meetings.

4. Rally the Community

Who doesn't like to know about the great news happening in your community? It boosts your brand, and morale, and builds resiliency. Your communication plan helps spread the word about the amazing events and strong work that is happening. Families and residents can feel proud when they know about their achievements. Everyone's in the loop and feeling pumped!

5. Sharing Cool Ideas
Everyone has cool ideas, and your communication plan is like a suggestion box. It helps you listen to residents, students, teachers, and parents. Filtering the most appropriate ideas that align with your goals and promote those. A wonderful side effect is the encouragement others feel to share their ideas. An additional benefit is that publishing your community's voice avoids the dark, unproductive comments lurking in social media.

TIP: Make it easy to capture "Good News" from the team and community. A simple comment form or prompt in a footer can drive great content and accolades.

A communication plan isn't just a task or a document you file away. It's your pre-flight checklist to manage through crisis, rally your community and build trusting relationships. Reach us to get help building your communication plan to elevate your community engagement.

Aspen Public Radio: New app offers Pitkin Alerts in 100 languages

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 01:46:19 GMT

Pitkin County unveiled a new app on Jan. 25 that will deliver Pitkin Alerts in 100 languages.

Until now, the alerts from Pitkin County’s dispatch center have been delivered in English with occasional Spanish translations.

Despite a few hiccups during the rollout, the ReachWell app is now functioning and sending alerts using an artificial intelligence translation system.

Brett Loeb runs the dispatch center and Valerie MacDonald is the county’s emergency manager.

They spoke with Halle Zander on Monday.

Zander: What kind of marketing is the department going to do to get this word out?

MacDonald: The way I look at it is it will be a slow roll out and go on forever, much the same as what we do with Pitkin Alert. We will be doing a multi-media campaign for this. I'm working with a marketing company right now to create, just, really some simplistic messaging, but also it's going to be word of mouth quite a bit. We're talking to a lot of the Latino advocacy groups in the valley and getting their input on how we should reach out. I mean, there's obvious venues: the newspapers that have a Spanish speaking section in the paper, radio ads on Tricolor. There's a multitude of things we'll do on social media as well, but it's going to be an ongoing effort.

Zander: Going from one language, sometimes two, at Pitkin Alerts to one hundred different languages is a big leap. Have you had requests from people asking for Pitkin Alerts in languages other than English and Spanish?

Loeb: Yeah, we haven't had as much here in Pitkin. But some of our partners down in Garfield County, we were talking to them about it, and their language that's most often used next to Spanish was very surprising. It's Mandarin Chinese. We hadn't even thought about Mandarin Chinese, but with this we don't really have to worry about it as much anymore. It's out there and people can select whatever language they like, and we're going to put in Spanish on every Pitkin Alert we send out in English that people can receive this in Spanish through the ReachWell app. So every Pitkin Alert that goes out, hopefully, you know, if they're looking for a Spanish translation, they will see how to get there right on the alert.

Zander: Okay, and that's a good point. So you all have in the past translated some of your alerts into Spanish. The Spanish was always just right below the English. Is that still going to happen?

Loeb: Yes, for the alerts that we have time to prepare and to put the translation in. So some of our common ones, which are not common anywhere else but here, like the avalanche mitigation…those are things that we can plan ahead of time, have a translation ready to go and just send out with the English version. The ones that happen, you know, as they're happening, we don't have time to put a translation on. Those are the ones that we're going to push through the app.

Zander: Such as wildfires, flash floods, right?

Loeb: Yeah, all the other stuff that people want to know about. There's no way to prepare for those.

Zander: Why did you all decide to go in the direction of an app like ReachWell, as opposed to maybe hiring somebody on staff to do these translations in real time?

Loeb: Really, it comes down to the time, you know. It's taking us a long time to add that extra step, if you will, in emergencies. And what ends up happening is, as we're trying to make it more accessible for everybody, it actually delays getting important information out. So with this solution, the dispatchers can just craft their message in English, type in English, send it out as usual, and everything else happens behind the scenes automatically.

MacDonald: One of the pillars of emergency management is making sure that we're all inclusive and equitable in getting out emergency information. It's just critical that we put that out quickly and accurately. And the process Brett was just describing is cumbersome. I mean, believe me, we try so, so hard, but it just wasn't a perfect system. And with ReachWell, I feel like we will solve that problem in an emergency. Details matter if we're putting out messaging that isn't great because of the translation quality, we could have made the situation worse than if we put nothing out.

Zander: And, so, that's kind of where I was going next. Brett, you told me a story about an “ice jam” release and how Google Translate a few years back translated that to “marmalade” in Spanish. If an inaccurate translation were to go out on Pitkin Alerts, would you all be aware of that? Would it have to be reported from someone who gets those alerts? And how would it be addressed?

Loeb: All of our folks are subscribing and would see it, but from my experience, really, with these alerts, somebody is going to let us know pretty quick. The community actually is extremely savvy with public safety messaging, with being involved. And when we make a mistake or when something just isn't right, it's very quick usually that we understand that there was something that went out wrong.

MacDonald: Just the lead up to us going live with the system, we did put together a test group with many people throughout the valley. And we sent out numerous Pitkin Alerts over the ReachWell app to that group. We wanted to test for ease of downloading and then also the translation accuracy because we’ve dealt with that in the past, and everyone thought it was vastly improved. It's just another tool or another resource in our toolbox.

Zander: So this would be a good option for people who are not comfortable sharing their information on a government website. So is this app an explicit effort to reach the undocumented population in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys?

MacDonald: I believe that's one of the major advantages. People do not have to sign up on a government website. And while I don't have specific data on the numbers, I know that that population exists in this valley. Some people just don't want anything to do with government, so this takes away that barrier.

Zander: So I signed up for the app on Wednesday, and as you said, there were a number of Pitkin Alerts that were sent out this weekend. I haven't received any alerts from ReachWell yet. Is it supposed to be live at this time?

Loeb: We did a lot of testing before launch and we went live with it, and we didn't have any alerts come out until Saturday night that would have gone out on ReachWell. And then we realized there was one step missing, so we've corrected that as of today.

Press Release: PitkinAlert System Now Available In 100 Languages

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 22:34:16 GMT

New app launched in an effort to reach all community members more equitably

PITKIN COUNTY, COLO. (Jan. 26, 2023) - Citizens and visitors can now receive PitkinAlerts in over 100 different languages with a new Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office translation app, operated by ReachWell. “While we strive to serve all community members equitably, we have struggled to reach our non-English speaking community and people who are hesitant to sign up on a government website to receive emergency alerts,” said Alex Burchetta, Pitkin County Undersheriff.

“It's imperative that emergency alerts are received by everyone without language barriers, whether it's Spanish, Portuguese, German, or any of the 97 other languages. We know if we can alert people of emergency situations, the outcome will be better. Forewarned people have a better chance to prepare and respond when possible, whether it's a wildfire, flood, or any other disaster that could come our way,” said Valerie MacDonald, Pitkin County Emergency Manager. “Partnering with ReachWell, the translation app works to remove barriers of communication for so many residents and visitors in our community.”

There are three simple steps:

Download the free ReachWell app on your phone and accept push notifications.
Select your preferred language.
Add Pitkin County Alerts.

“The app is not replacing our current PitkinAlert System,” said Brett Loeb, Pitkin County 9-1-1 Dispatch Commander. “It will be used primarily to help make emergency, traffic, and community alerts accessible for non-English speakers living in or visiting our valley.”

“The ReachWell app delivers equitable engagement for underserved communities”, says Zuben Bastani, ReachWell Founder. ReachWell is a Denver-based company that partners with hundreds of schools, agencies, and nonprofits nationally.

Pitkin County has undergone extensive testing of the ReachWell app, involving many people from different organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley who speak English as a second language. All agreed this is a good step forward in reaching more people with PitkinAlerts.

MEDIA CONTACT

Valerie MacDonald

Pitkin County Emergency Manager

970-379-6748

valerie.macdonald@pitkinsheriff.com

Five Tips for Inclusive Communication

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:58:57 GMT

Small tweaks to your communication can go a long way.

Here's how schools, agencies and nonprofits across the ReachWell network send communication that's both eye-catching and inclusive.

Section headers make newsletters easy to navigate.

By incorporating section headers with a different color and font size, contacts can quickly absorb important information. They can read section that interest them in more depth.

Bullet points and 3rd grade language are more accessible to lower-literate readers

When communicating to contacts with a variety of needs, language capabilities, and reading levels, simplified languages ensures all contacts can engage with the information that you're sharing. Similar to section headers, bullet points help contacts better absorb information. Plus, when you don't have to write long paragraphs of information, it's a time-saver for you!

Photos and giphs brighten up every newsletter.

In surveys, contacts have shared that they're more likely to engage with your communication when it has some fun and flair. Yes, they want to be informed, but they also want to look forward to reading what you send them. Including photos from your community is a great way to draw contacts into your communication. Overtime, a more engaged and informed community leads to deeper relationships.

Avoid play-on-words for the best translation.

Most organizations can't have a human translator available for every language and every outgoing communication needed, which is what makes machine translation such a powerful tool. While machine translation is getting better and better with time, idioms and puns don't often translate well.

Emojis help English-learning families better understand the message.

Like photos, emojis add the fun factor to your community outreach. An added benefit is they convey your message visually so that all contacts--no matter their language or reading abilities--can understand the message.

Tell us how else you inclusively engage your community in the comments!

Five Steps to Turn Prospective Families Into Enrolled Families

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:29:49 GMT

Schools and organizations are turning to ReachWell to engage prospective families in the community. Learn how they're easily promoting their culture, open houses, and registration links to increase enrollment!

Create a Prospective Family Channel on the App

Just as families can follow multiple schools' channels on the ReachWell app, they can also follow a Prospective Family channel. This allows prospective and current family communication through the same platform for staff. It also prepares prospective families to already be connected on your communication platform once they enroll with you.

For even more targeted communication, roster all the prospective contacts, so you can reach them right away. Ask families who join your tours to download the app and follow your updates!

Promote Your Organization's Culture at a Glance

Eye-catching banners are a great visual way for prospective families to get to know what it would be like to be a part of your community. Make a lasting impression with the first thing they'll see when they visit your page.

Add banners with images of why they should enroll or testimonials from other families. With ReachWell's linkable banners, you can also connect families to RSVP or registration links.

Show Off Your Strong Family Communication with Updates

Translated in their Preferred Language

Where are you more likely to enroll--The school that doesn't communicate with you regularly, or the school that engages you in your preferred language? By communicating strongly with prospective families, they'll know how well you engage with enrolled families, and what it feels like to be a part of your organization.

Send a monthly "About Us" newsletter with highlights from the month. Include reminders for open-houses and how to register. The app takes care of the translation, so that you don't need to worry about which languages to translate and families will get the newsletter in their preferred language.

Promote Open Houses with Calendar Events and RSVP Links

Don't make families dig for a way to learn about you! With ReachWell's integration with Google or Outlook Calendar, prospective families can easily find open house events. You'll be able to manage calendar events in the tool you already use, and families have one location for events, newsletters, and important resources.

ReachWell Tip: Add a location and description in your calendar events with an RSVP link to increase attendance rates. Provide an email address or phone number if they have any questions.

Provide Enrollment Instructions in an Easy-to-Find Location

Once you've dazzled them with all that you do for families in the community, make it easy for prospective families to enroll. Even when you've reminded families in your newsletters how to register, add it in as many locations as possible, so they don't need to dig through previous announcements.

ReachWell's resource tab is the perfect location to share instructions and links for enrolling in your school or programs. You can also link them to your social media accounts and other tools to further support prospective families.

Segment Communication by School, Neighborhoods, or Programs

Make each announcement count. Segmenting communication with groups ensures that each message applies to what a prospective family wants to learn about.

If you're a district, create groups based on the school that families are interested in. Non-profits can create groups based on their programs or the different neighborhoods they serve.

What Do Forests Have to do With Trauma and Resilience?

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 22:29:59 GMT

Dr. Wendy Ellis outlines creating opportunities for community healing and fostering equity through a framework inspired by nature.

Scientist Suzanne Simard proved that resource sharing is how resilient forests thrive. Her research flew in the face of popular scientific theories that healthy trees were a result of competition and resource hoarding. Prior to Simard's research, forest service practices reflected a belief that the oldest trees, also known as Mother Trees, were best cut down, so the younger generation of trees could thrive. Simard proved that, instead, Mother Trees pass along excess nutrients to seedlings through fungal networks in the soil.

Why the biology lesson on a blog dedicated to family engagement?

Dr. Wendy Ellis, who created the Building Community Resilience process, found inspiration in forests as an analogy for supporting the children and families who are most in need.

First, let's start with the soil. Simard's research proved that where Mother Trees were present, the soil was healthier and had more fungal networks present to transfer nutrients. Without that healthy soil, seedlings' leaves and branches were malnourished.

A child's community environment is as important to their development as the soil is to the seedling's growth. Adverse community environments--like food insecurity, racist policies, or community violence--lead to adverse childhood experiences, such as trouble learning in school or substance abuse.

Dr. Ellis described a very real scenario of an adverse community environment: “During COVID, the only full-service grocery store closed on the Southside. On top of that, bus lines and metro service were cut because of the pandemic, making it harder for families to get healthy groceries. The corner stores don’t sell nutritious foods. When the city appealed to grocery store chains, requesting they open on the Southside, corporate declined, citing high poverty and low homeownership.”

How can we add nutrients back to the soil?

As the Mother Trees teach us, strong networks are vital to a community where resources are shared, and all can thrive. Yet when trust has eroded over the years, community healing must be a central part of the process. Dr. Ellis notes that individuals with lived experiences must be centered in discussions, and city leaders must formally acknowledge systemic inequities, and develop incentives that foster social and economic mobility.

Using the grocery store example, Dr. Ellis' outlines three steps toward long-term change:

Program : Developing a community-driven local food system with new licenses for small businesses like a co-op or farmers market. This would create networks among the urban shoppers and nearby farms.
Practice : Stores that sell high quality, nutritious, affordable food improve the health of the community, while the new jobs at the co-op provides living wages.
Policy : City leaders provide incentives for grocery stores to open on the Southside and plan for public transportation routes to run near grocery stores.

Resilient communities, rich with networks of family supports, foster thriving children and families.

Share in the comments how residents in your area enrich their "soil" to build a thriving community!

NoCo Alert (Larimer County, CO) partners with ReachWell for translated emergency notifications

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:19:49 GMT

Inclusive Emergency Notifications

Larimer County community members can now receive emergency alerts in over 100 languages with NOCO Alert’s new app. This week, Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority is collaborating with local community organizations to introduce the ReachWell app to communities throughout Larimer County. Anyone in the community can now receive emergency alerts, as well as resources on emergency preparedness.

“After the Marshall Fire, it was abundantly clear that we needed to do a better job informing non-English speakers about emergency events,” said Kimberly Culp, Chief Executive Officer of LETA 911. “Our partnership with ReachWell is an opportunity to make sure all citizens know how to respond to emergencies, no matter the language they speak.”

ReachWell’s app is available to everyone, even visiting tourists. It does not require users to create an account or enter personal information to follow LETA 911’s channel and receive alerts.

“We know there are many barriers to effectively engaging everyone in the community, and we would never want that to be a reason why someone misses vital life-saving information,” said Zuben Bastani, CEO and Founder of ReachWell. “We designed the most accessible tool out there because everyone has a right to easily access information and resources.”

Citizens can follow LETA 911 on the ReachWell app in just two steps:

Download the ReachWell app and accept push notifications.
Optional: Select their preferred language.
Add NOCO Alert (LETA 911)

###

LETA 911 Overview

Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority, LETA911, is the Governing Authority for 9-1-1 in Larimer County Colorado.

LETA911 provides oversight to 9-1-1, the equipment, and the programs funded by LETA. Within this county region there are five 9-1-1 emergency communication centers, thirty government entities, one State University, and one National Park.

For additional information, visit https://leta911.org/ .

ReachWell Overview

ReachWell delivers equitable community engagement for underserved communities. Their proven method and powerful toolset connect families regardless of language, literacy, technical ability, or income.

Schools, agencies, and nonprofits communicate in over 100 languages via app, website, text, email, and call to deliver all the alerts, academic tools, and wellness resources that families need to succeed.

For additional information, visit https://www.reachwellapp.com/ .

Maximize your reach with accessible technology

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 03:54:26 GMT

In order to maximize reach, we've applied the following approach to quickly connect all families.

When communities use ReachWell for engagement they see 95%+ reachability within a few weeks of launching. Our community leaders expressed how helpful this approach is so we thought we'd share it with you! Use the checklist to evaluate your existing service/plan and capture areas for improvement.

In order to maximize reach, we've applied the follow approach to quickly connect all families.

1. Access

Ensure information is being distributed in all practical ways: App, Email, Text, Call, Social Media* and Web (both your site and your partner sites). ReachWell supports all these methods (and more).
*Social Media is not reliable as feeds are based on algorithms, not what's actually being posted.
Ensure the information is being updated regularly and is consistent across channels.

2. Language and Literacy

Translate messages as they're delivered while accommodating support for human translators.
Allow ELs (English Learners) to choose their own language; the language they share with registration is rarely accurate.
Support unwritten languages with integrated audio and video translations.
Support low-literate users with text-to-speech translation in English and their native language.

3. Disabilities: Accessibility features allow our vision or hearing impaired to stay informed.

Text-to-speech is a great way to assist visually impaired citizens. Further, ensure they're supported with high-contrast text and image tags.
ASL (Sign Language) speakers should be able to view messages in sign as well as text. Support messages with ASL videos.

4. Low Tech Literacy

Signups, Sign-ins, passwords, logins, and devices are all hurdles to adoption. Ensure your platform doesn't require barriers to access basic public information.
Private (PII) data must be protected but doing so with a simple 2FA code delivered via paper, text, email or call can easily overcome typical hurdles.

5. Low Income

Disconnected / changing phone numbers is the primary reason great texting campaigns fail. Support families with an app to ensure they're connected regardless if their numbers change.
Unchecked email is common as low-income families don't regularly use email as a communication tool; reach them on their computer (aka their phone) to keep them informed.

6. Undocumented or Unregistered Caretakers

Undocumented families will refuse to download or sign up for any tool that requires personal information. Ensure your platform allows families to follow without location tracking or registering. Of course, PII info requires verification.
Mom or dad contacts in the system may not be the true caretaker. This information can also change frequently and relying on families to update their admins is an impossible expectation. Provide families with the open access they need and when they are identified, ensure a simple "add" process exists to associate them with their classes or providers.

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST

Ideas to Encourage Natural Connections Among Families

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:54:46 GMT

Connecting families with each other can have a long-lasting, beneficial impact. Schools have the opportunity to foster these relationships.

At ReachWell, we have made family-staff partnerships the core of what we facilitate as a company. Research has shown that fostering deep, meaningful relationships between staff and families is a key factor in family and student academic and social outcomes.

These relationships are a piece of a puzzle, albeit an important one, but not the entire picture. Families & Schools Together (FAST) promotes the Family Systems Theory, where facilitating family-to-family relationships is another means to supporting students.

The Benefits of Facilitating Family Connections

By creating relationships within and between families, individual parents and guardians become accountable to each other. They begin to depend upon one another as a base of mutual support. This is particularly important for families who frequently face stressors, which often disrupts a child's daily routine. FAST has seen that by strengthening family relationships, families are better able to cope and support their children.

These family relationships can:

Build cohesion and stability in families’ and students’ lives
Create an accountability structure
Build social capital between families, schools, and the community
Empower parents and guardians with the skills and confidence to nurture their children
Empower students and give a sense of security, improving academic and social outcomes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights protective factors to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including social networks and communities that support parents. This includes caring adults outside the family who can serve as role models or mentors.

Family and Community Event Best Practices to Facilitate Family Connections

Include small group team building activities or icebreakers that promote families to meet one another.
Host meetings of families from the same neighborhood, or with a common interest. Examples: Immigrants from the same country, grandparents raising grandkids, families of 5th-grade boys.
Reach out to local non-profits and faith-based organizations, and ask for their help in connecting families with each other and the school.
At events where you serve food, invite teachers and families to sit together while having conversation starters at the table.
Teachers or main offices can form communication networks between families in their classrooms.
Introduce families to each other during drop off and pick up times.

Use ReachWell's Features to Facilitate Family Connections

Increase event attendance by adding community functions to the app calendar and uploading event banners.
Increase event attendance by sending reminders through multiple platforms. Through ReachWell, you can send information on the app, through email, text, call, and on your website.
Send a weekly newsletter that includes a student or family spotlight. Families can learn more about each other and find common interests they may not have known about previously.
Send a survey to learn more about each family. This can help you to find and connect families with common interests or who live in the same neighborhoods.
Upload app banners with photos of students and families to create a sense of community.

Flyer Connect is now ReachWell! Same mission. More families.

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 23:29:50 GMT

A new name to support our expanding community.

Since our beginning, our mission has always been to foster accessible community engagement by getting and keeping families connected. Together, we've overcome barriers like:

Disconnected numbers/low-tech families with our accessible app plus, post-to-web, text, email, and calls
Translation for EL families with two-way translated messages and forms
Low-Literacy with translated text-to-speech messages
Undocumented and unregistered families with open app alerts
Hardship with custom resource directories and calendars

As one Greeley principal put it, "We're hearing from families we've never met before!"

As we have (and continue) to support PK-12 community schools we're also improving engagement for the nonprofits and state/local agencies who are serving your families.

Our partners at Strive PREP partner with Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation who support families and students with social assistance and after school programs. Those families are easily receiving messages as accessing schedules, registrations and resources all through their ReachWell app.

In addition, in northern Colorado, our partners at the Greeley-Evans School District are aligned with the Immigrant Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNOCO) . Their families with students in the district are able to communicate with their school/teachers as well as leverage IRCNoCo to access classes to improve their English language skills and access community navigator resources from one place in their language.

Our new ReachWell name aligns with our core focus of inclusive engagement. Under the new brand, we will continue to improve our communication abilities, academic tools, and wellness resources.

Thank you for your continued support as we launch into this exciting new chapter to ensure all communities are "Well Reached."

This Mom Knows What Good Communication Looks Like, and Brings that Knowledge As a Family Services Specialist

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 20:26:48 GMT

Claudia Guzman at Clayton Early Learning Center received ReachWell communication for years as a mom. Now in her role as Program Specialist in Family Services, she knows exactly what features she wants to bring families in her school community.

From Parent to Program Specialist in Family Services

This summer, Claudia Guzman started her role as Program Specialist in Family Services at Clayton Early Learning Center, an early childhood education program that prepares children for Kindergarten. She previously worked in real estate. However, family communication is not new for her. She brings her experience as a mother of two when coming up with creative ideas on engaging the Clayton community.

"My two kids in 2nd and 7th grade go to Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy," Claudia said. "I loved the newsletters they sent through ReachWell, so I thought, I should do that too!'"

Claudia noticed how easy it was to keep up with all the events and activities at her child's school because of the regular newsletters and calendar updates.

Results

After working with staff to increase app adoption, her hard work is paying off. "I now get a lot of compliments from families who tell me that they always know about school events," Claudia said. "For example, we have one tomorrow for culture night, and they like getting the reminders through the app."

A recent family survey also reflects the positive feedback Claudia has heard in one-to-one conversations. Families said they love the app and get the right amount of communication from Claudia.

One parent shared in the survey "I also have the ReachWell app in the schools of my other children, and since I usually do not check my email every day, with the app I can easily and quickly find out the news and events of the school." (Original quote: "Lo tengo también en las escuelas de mis otros hijos por lo regular no reviso mi email todos los días entonces con el flayer me llega como mensaje de texto y puedo enterarme a tiempo de las noticias de la escuela u también de eventos que tiene la escuela.")

Another parent said that "the app is super easy, and you get a lot of important information about the school" (Original quote: "L aplicación es súper fácil, y obtienes mucha información importante de la escuela")

Looking Ahead

From all the positive feedback, Claudia is looking ahead on how to make family engagement even stronger.

"Families told me in the survey that they want to hear more about what's going on in the classroom," Claudia said. "I love that idea, and I think it would be cool to start posting A Day in the Life, with pictures of different classrooms, and what they're up to that day."

Clayton also holds a weekly market, where families get their own tote bag to go shopping for fruits, vegetables, hygiene products, and household products. Claudia will also start to send reminders to families through the ReachWell app.

She won't stop getting inspiration from her children's school either. She noticed that Kunsmiller provides a form for families to submit an absence notice. Claudia says she wants to start taking advantage of more ReachWell app features like that.

A Checklist to Guide You Through Family Conversations

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:40:37 GMT

Our step-by-step guide on preparing for family conversations will ensure they walk away empowered to be a partner in their student's learning.

I remember the day vividly. As a new teacher, I had my first one-to-one parent conversation about one of my students. The student had been struggling in class, and his parents scheduled a meeting to discuss his progress. I had no clue how to lead the conversation, so I asked other teachers in my building. They all had different advice, and I still felt lost.

During the meeting, the family asked me for activities they could do at home to best support their child's learning. I realized how ill-prepared I was. I was ready to show them the student's grades, and discuss his work. But I hadn't even considered what they could do at home.

The meeting totally changed how I viewed my parent meetings. I realized that the purpose was not to only have a one-way informative conversation, but to enhance the partnership between me and a student's family, so that together we could improve academic and social outcomes.

If you've ever felt the same way, I've done the research for you so you don't have to wonder how to lead a conversation with students' families. Even if you have your own strategy, I've found checklists to help make sure I don't forget any important information in my family meetings.

Download the Checklist

Included in the Checklist

Material and Conversation Meeting Prep

Be fully prepared for a family meeting with our checklist of materials and conversation points to bring to a family meeting.

Examples of Useful Phrases to Communicate Progress

Using the guide's useful phrases will help you discuss when:

A student is struggling
A student needs improvement
A student is progressing
A student is exceeding

Questions to Ask in the Meeting

Collaboration between families and school staff are so effective because it brings together content and context expertise. You as a staff member are the experts in the content knowledge that marks important learning milestones for students. Families are the context experts, knowing their child beyond the classroom.

The guide's high impact questions help you deeply understand how to meet a student's needs by bringing together your content expertise with a family's context expertise. From the family's knowledge, you can understand what motivates their student and other important information that can improve outcomes at school.

See the questions to ask in family meetings.

Discuss High Impact Activities to Do at Home

Based on your conversation from the questions you've asked, share which activities you think would be most impactful for the student. See our activity ideas .

Post-Meeting Activities

By following our post-meeting checklist, you won't lose any of the takeaways and next steps from the meeting.

Do you have anything else I should add to my checklist ? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Five Resources to Kickoff Family Partnerships

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 19:39:21 GMT

Five icebreaker activities for deeper family engagement this year

Starting out on the right foot with hard-to-reach parents will pay dividends for the entire school year.

To overcome the challenge of creating new family partnerships, we've provided some virtual activities that allow for easy connections between staff and families to open the door to deeper and more trusting relationships.

Before enacting these activities, first, decide on a goal you want to achieve with family partnerships this year. This goal will serve as your “north star” to help prioritize your engagement efforts.

Activity 1: Survey families about their relationship with school

Create a survey asking families about the rhythms and norms at home. Panorama has an excellent guide and questionnaire.
Send the link to parents
Read their responses and reply to the families who completed the survey

Do it the ReachWell way:

Develop meaningful questions for your families
Create a form that translates for families
Send the form via app, email, and on your website all with one click
Review your results in a secure spreadsheet or via email notifications

Activity 2: Dinner with their child

Ask families to make dinner with their child
Give families tips to make the experience meaningful
Ask each family to provide a picture of what they made and what they learned

Tips for an impactful time making dinner:

Math: Talk about estimating and fractions while measuring
English: Engage with your child about the language of the recipe or ingredients
Reading: Ask your child to read the ingredients or encourage your child to find more information about one of the ingredients used
Science: Talk about how the food changed from the beginning of making dinner to the end

Do it the ReachWell way:

Send a broadcast message to your group announcing the activity
Encourage families to reply to your message with their questions
With permission, share the images with the whole class and send another broadcast message with a gallery of families’ dinners

Activity 3: Show and tell

Show and tell works for all ages
Ask students to work with their parents/guardians to find a picture or item at home that shares about their family or heritage

Do it the ReachWell way:

Two weeks before your show and tell presentations update it on your linked family calendar
One week before the event send a broadcast message to your group(s)
Send a chat to the families who are most challenging to reach, and tell them something new you learned about their student

Activity 4: Promote conversations with families

Provide a list of questions for families to have intentional conversations
Ask families to share about their experience

Do it the ReachWell way:

Update your resources page in the app with a list of intentional conversations
Send a broadcast message highlighting the resource and the link to intentional conversations
Ask students about their experiences
Use the conversations with your students to start conversations with inactive parents

Activity 5: Book of importance

Request students work with their family to pick out a book about their culture or their values
Have students bring the book to school and share how it represents their culture or values

Do it the ReachWell way:

Put the event in your linked family facing calendar
Share a resource of places to find free books online
Send a broadcast message reminding families about the event
Reach out to families after the event, and share something new you learned about their values or culture
Take advantage of this valuable moment to set you, your students, and your families up for a successful year!

Post-to-Web: Consistent Info Everywhere for Everyone

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:39:28 GMT

Stop updating multiple platforms separately. Keep families informed in countless ways with just a click.

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy (Denver Public Schools K-12 ) works hard to keep its elementary and secondary community informed with relevant information. This means pulling information from multiple departments and posting it across multiple platforms to make sure the message gets through and their community is always informed.

While most families preferred the app, neighbors, prospective families and alumni referenced the website. Staff preferred email and a few liked texting and calling.

This relied on one staff member to update their website while another posted on ReachWell to translate information for families via the app, email, text, and call. When the website manager went on maternity leave they knew they would need to train someone to replace that task. With already strained resources backfilling, tackling this additional responsibility in the middle of a busy school year was daunting.

Fortunately, ReachWell’s post-to-web feature was released in time to completely eliminate this task. One person sends one message, and it updates multiple platforms at once, including the website! Because ReachWell segments messages for families based on classrooms and grades, their website was even easier to navigate as secondary and elementary maintained their distinct newsfeeds (without the front office sending multiple messages).

Schools no longer need to log into multiple platforms to make sure they cast a wide net, ensuring all families are connected to essential updates. It’s easier than ever to send updates in multiple ways, all in one place.

How it works

It’s quick and easy to keep your website easily updated.
Request post-to-web for your site and receive non-technical instructions to add the website widget to your site. This typically takes about five minutes.
School-wide messages sent to families on ReachWell will translate into over 100 languages and post on both the app and a website news feed, no web design skills required! That same message can also be translated and delivered via email, text, and voice call from the same page.
Click to send, and you’re keeping families informed in five ways! Families can easily choose their preferred communication method so that you don’t have to guess which method is best for all families.

Benefits of Post-to-Web

With minimal effort, your website is always updated.

Your website will automatically be updated anytime you send a new message from ReachWell.

Attract more prospective families

Prospective families can see enrollment events and important deadlines.
Show off your school’s culture and strong communication to families who are looking for the best school for their students.

Deeper engagement for current families and alumni

Families who don’t use email or don’t have a smartphone can access essential news and updates on your website homepage.
Promote events like fundraisers, parent-teacher conferences, or talent shows that are easy to find on your website.
Share community resources to the whole community with several communication methods to help ensure families’ needs are met.

Save time and consolidate your to-do list

Your website manager will have less work once you have one place to keep your community informed
Increase attendance and engagement by keeping families informed in multiple ways

Contact us today to see how Post-to-Web can raise your engagement levels!

How Districts are Closing the Loop with English Learning Families

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:10:18 GMT

Schools across the country want to go beyond broadcast compliance notifications. Here's how they get feedback from all families.

What does it look like when families are highly engaged with their child's education?

Though the question is simple, the answers vary. "It really can be different for one family to another," said Betsy Sostak, Director of Multilingual Services at Aptakisic-Tripp School District in Lake County, Illinois.

Where we've been.
At ReachWell, we hold regular consultation calls with each of our schools. We hear the same sentiment: measuring engagement on in-person meetings is not accurate. The pandemic aside, schools realize families have varying circumstances which make in-person meetings challenging.

Think of who constitutes your school community. Migrant, English learning or homeless families may come to mind. Your team strives to cater to their specific needs, the same way teachers meet each student at their learning level. They know one-size-fits-all engagement metrics like in-person meeting attendance does not take into account other forms of active participation and engagement.

"In the last year, our schools found out that a lot of parents couldn't come in person, and that they needed more flexibility in scheduling. We need to find a way to engage parents who are working when it's the time to come into the school," a district leader in North Dakota told us.

Where we're going.
Betsy Sostak and the Aptakisic-Tripp team sees engagement differently and seeks to answer the question: "How do we make it easy for families to provide feedback?"

With ReachWell, schools across the country are creating a culture for two-way engagement. They are going beyond one-way announcements and instead are creating a feedback loop where families' voices and feedback can be captured by leadership.

How it's gone.
In Illinois at Aptakisic-Tripp, the district is using the ReachWell app with their English Learning families, their district's hardest families to engage due to language barriers. The district sent three ReachWell requests in an email and app message for feedback on district communication. Over 35% of families replied. The request was only directed at their most hard-to-reach families with a typical response rate of 5%; a 600% increase!

Families across Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, and other states have shared feedback in their language about what they liked about the school's communication, and how they wish their schools were communicating.

What they said.

"I like that I get important notifications like no school, early dismissal, short day and any other time-sensitive notifications." -Family in Buffalo Grove, Illinois

"Since I don’t understand English well, this [ReachWell] app helps me." -Family in Buffalo Grove, Illinois

"اعرف منه كل شىء عن المدرسه يبقيني دائما على تواصل مع المدرسه " (I know everything about the school from it, it always keeps me in touch with the school) -Family in Minneapolis, Minnesota

“Es muy bien para la comunicación para lo que tengan q decir los maestros” (The app is really good for communication for what the teachers have to say.)

"It’s easier to figure out what’s going on at the school through this app than any other means of communication.” -Family in Greeley, Colorado

"What I like most about ReachWell is how convenient it is to get communications from both of my children's schools and the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation all in one app." -Family in Denver, Colorado

"Me gusta que aquí recibo todo sobre la escuela ,horarios de salida ,reuniones y más." (I like that here I receive everything about the school, dismissal schedules, events, and more.” -Family in Kansas City, Missouri

Book a demo today!

Is Chronic Absenteeism our Greatest Threat?

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:39:46 GMT

Driving at the root cause to increase attendance and achievement.

The pandemic has taken its toll in countless ways. Perhaps the most consequential is increased chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing at least 10% of schools days. A recent McKinsey s tudy from July 2021 reported chronic absenteeism increased 12% in the last year for 8th to 12th grade students. Among those, 42% are not attending ANY school at all.

The reasons range from COVID precautions, disconnected relationships, punitive responses, economic hardship, transportation, and many more. However, without clearly understanding the barriers a student is facing, how does one begin to address the problem? Providing families with an easy way to share the causes behind these absences is the first step to increasing attendance. Capturing this data must be grounded in equity as chronic absenteeism unfairly impacts students of color, FRPL, and those with IEPs (disabilities).

Attendance Works issued a helpful guide of strategies to reduce absences.

Flyer Connect saw this as an opportunity to combine the above strategies with an equitable engagement approach for families to report absences:

Without the fear of having to speak English
Without having to remember a complicated username or password
Directly from their phone or any device in their language

Most importantly, the Absence Form gives schools the opportunity to respond with Multi-Tiered supports to alleviate the families' challenges.

Here's how it works; as a family member, I view and complete the Absence Form on my phone or the school website in my language. In addition to basic information, the family is prompted to specify a reason (holiday, doctor's appointment, transportation, other) which unveils more specific causes for the absence (transportation, food, a student working (money), illness, etc.).

Based on the results of the form, appropriate resources may be automatically alerted to contact the family via Flyer Connect's two-way translation platform to provide support and resources to alleviate their issues.

Imagine moving from an automated robocall to a Family Liaison or Social Worker ready with resources! Solving the root cause of chronic absenteeism can not only improved attendance but also allow the families and students to focus on their academics thereby increasing student achievement.

If this or other Flyer Connect tools can support your attendance and achievement goals contact us today .

Five High Impact B2S Engagement Tips

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 19:44:48 GMT

We’ve gathered the highest impact activities to kick off the new year from hundreds of families and community engagement experts

Across the Flyer Connect network, we’ve gathered the highest impact activities to kick off the new year from hundreds of families and community engagement experts. Here are five tips we have for schools and districts planning their back to school night and other family engagement activities.

1. Family community partnership is a priority

Family engagement is a top factor that predicts student success1. Pursue a partnership with families to increase student achievement at your school.

Make it known and make it heard. Incorporate your family engagement mission at all levels of presentations and family facing activities.
Share how families should expect to receive communication and share feedback. Ex: School news goes out Thursdays via the app and email, District news goes out Fridays via the app and email. Direct inbound feedback to the school main office. Direct learning feedback to teachers.
Share engagement opportunities and put them on the calendar. Ex: Conference dates, volunteer opportunities, celebrations.

2. Expect collaboration

Set the expectation that families and staff collaborate to support their child's learning.

Prior to day one (or at the first opportunity) begin collaboration by requesting families share a student brief about their child. Ex: How does your child learn? What subjects do they love/find difficult? What do they find fun? Basketball vs. Legos, etc.
Request guardians share other caregiver information in case the guardian isn’t available.
Share a Parent-Student Compact detailed expected responsibilities of the guardian, the student and the teacher. Ex: Build a compact in Flyer Connect for parents to sign digitally and upload to a Google sheet.

3. Schedule home visits

Home visits provide a unique insight in students’ home life and can guide the best use of resources and tiered support.

Within the first 90 days encourage staff to schedule home visits with families. Ex: Families can choose from available times on their app and share specific information privately.
Build a PD session for your staff as to how to conduct home visits. Resource
Track completed home visits to measure how they impact students’ achievement.

4. Share daily class schedules with families

Families need timely prompts to engage their students. “What happened today?” versus “What happened in Algebra?” get completely different responses.

Share syllabuses, LMS calendars and school calendars via paper as well as an app. Ex: Sync your Flyer Connect app with Google Classroom, Canvas, and sports scheduled to give families a custom all-in-one view.
Notify families of additions and changes to the calendar.
Maintain the calendar at least once a week.

5. Deliver Family Learning Guides

Untangle and decipher the complicated grading scales, behavior reports, attendance reports and missed assignments. Empower families to advocate for their children.

Guide families through grading scales such as GPA, Grade Level and letter scales. Explain the impact/opportunities for each.
Set behavior and attendance expectations and goals.
Provide families with links to curriculum support sites to help students at home.
Provide guides to good study habits and create good spaces for learning.
Provide an app that incorporates specific and general recommendations to support individualized learning.

Take advantage of this valuable moment to set you, your students and families up for a successful year!

https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-power-of-parentalexpectations&sa=D&source=editors&u...

The ReachWell Effect: Improving Community Engagement Satisfaction

Fri, 07 May 2021 18:18:49 GMT

After comparing responses to the Family School Partnership survey, Moore Middle School saw a 30% jump in family satisfaction from one year to the next after adopting ReachWell.

Family satisfaction surveys are a big deal. High satisfaction on family surveys improves your school scores, attracting more families to learn about your school, and increasing enrollment.

What if family satisfaction could increase by over 30% in just a few months?

That's what we saw happen at Moore Middle school.

After two months of using ReachWell, survey results showed satisfaction increased by 32% across the district's six family engagement standards : welcoming all families into the community, communicating effectively, supporting student success, speaking up for every child, sharing power, and collaborating with the community.

Steps to improving communication satisfaction

At Moore Middle School, 48% more families agreed that they were satisfied with the school's communication after implementing ReachWell.

Here's how: Create a communication plan and send messages regularly.

Last month, we shared how Kansas City Kansas Public Schools has set a communication plan that guides staff on exactly who communicates when. The right plan helps you to regularly keep your community in the loop, without inundating them with too much information.

59% more families at Moore Middle School agreed that the school connects them to community resources.

Here's how: Provide easy access to resources.

ReachWell's team recently spoke to Colorado families, who shared that they and their students need more access to mental health resources during the COVID pandemic. By creating counseling groups, like Denver Public Schools, or adding mental health resources on your app channel, like Moore Middle School, families will be able to easily find the resources they need.

90% more families agreed the school provides information on supporting their children's learning.

Here's how: Get teacher and staff involved.

Teachers can easily develop communication rapport with families through one-to-one chatting. It's a great way to provide personalized support! When families have personal connections with teachers and staff, they can more easily access information about their student's wellness and academics.

To get individualized support for your school or organization, book a demo with us today!

Engage all Families Across All Teams with One Plan

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 18:27:15 GMT

ReachWell ensures communication tools work for all families for small and large communities.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) had a big question on their minds:

"How do we streamline communication across a large district without overwhelming our families?"

We've heard this question from large and small districts nationwide. Schools want to share regular updates from teachers, school offices, district, social workers, nutrition, transportation, counselors... However, if a family gets inundated, they feel overwhelmed and tune out important information.

KCKPS worked with ReachWell to create a strategic plan that met both needs.

Developing a Strategic Plan

Know your goals. Before jumping in, it's important to know your top family engagement goals.

Map out the communication challenges your community faces.
Pick two or three to be your goals for the school year. These should be those challenges that are extremely important for engaging the community, but you haven't yet had success in the past.

Identify your resources . List the support services that your community needs, and who on your team can provide those services. You'll get a clear picture of what needs are being met and what is not. You'll also see where your organizational strength is, and how they can apply to your communication goals.

Know your communication priorities . Once you've laid out your goals, and aligned an overarching strategy, you can get down to the nitty-gritty. This is where you can define who on your team communicates what, how, and when. With ReachWell, KCKPS assigned departments and staff dedicated days of the week they could communicate, based on the communication priority. The plan incorporates escalation paths for unplanned communication.

Get Started on your Plan

Whether you are rebuilding or creating a plan, ReachWell's team can support your team wherever you are in the process. Our approach can quickly layout your goals, define communication tactics, and measure your success through a data-centric plan. Schedule a free consultation or request a plan template to see how we can help you meet your community's needs.

7 Ways to Build Relational Trust in Your Community

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 23:30:12 GMT

Reachwell's features are perfect for transparency and sharing resources: two things we keep hearing that parents are asking for!

This month we connected with Colorado families who shared their personal challenges, and to no surprise families requested more support resources . We also heard a need for their schools to be more transparent . Read on to see how our partner schools and non-profits are using innovative tools to solve these issues.

We at Reachwell dove deep to understand the core issues and present solutions to our community, grounded in the practice of Relational Trust from the dual- capacity framework .

First, there's a disconnect between the schools' activities and their families' perceptions.

Admins and educators are exhausting themselves to keep classes and schools moving forward. In addition, they're providing individualized support for their students and families. "12 hour days." "No breaks." "Rebuilding lesson plans."
Families only know a sliver of the activity based on what they're receiving via newsletters and first hand accounts from their children. "They only teach half-day; what are they doing with their time?" "I don't feel recognized by my school."

Second, like us, the families we talked to feel disconnected from their community and schools. "It feels like teachers aren't working to connect with individual families." They craved more empathy from staff to simply recognize that things are hard right now. "I don't have childcare." "I lost my job."

This disconnect between the family experience and the work we're seeing in our schools could be avoided by two essential ideas:

Families want transparency.
Families need resources and supports.

With a small shift, schools and organizations can build Relational Trust with families in their community, as outlined by the Dual Capacity-Building Framework .

Once you build trust with the community, they are more likely to become partners that provide feedback. As we learn from each other, systems become stronger, relational trust grows, and research shows outcomes for students and families improve.

How can I use Reachwell to increase transparency and access to resources?

Relational trust by providing easy access to support

Translated app chats: Homeroom teachers at Vista College Prep are sending weekly check-ins to families through the chat function on the FlyReachwell Connect app. This is a great way to give families the chance to open up about how everyone is doing at home, and if they need any resources from the school's team.

Creating a Counseling Corner group : Schools in DPS created a Counseling Corner default group for counselors to send regular updates on mental health resources. Through the group, counselors can update a calendar that syncs to the app , so they can let families know of deadlines for certain resources.

Promoting community partner's channels on the app : STRIVE Prep schools are promoting community partners, like the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation's channel on the app. Families know they can get school-wide information, as well as updates from after-school programs and other neighborhood providers.

Relational trust through transparency

Banners with regular updates: KIPP Texas schools have tappable banners that lead families to letters and videos from the principal. The recurring updates give families a chance to feel connected to the school, but also keeps them in-the-know during a school year with regular changes.

Technology needs assessment: Kansas City Kansas Public Schools is asking families to let them know of their tech and connectivity needs to make sure all students have the necessary resources for learning.

In-person learning updates: DSST shares what's new at the network weekly with families, which has prepared families during their transition to hybrid learning.

COVID-19 health information: Asian Pacific Development Center sends messages to explain to students how to get the COVID vaccine and how the vaccine works. Cedar Valley Montessori shares how they are taking COVID precautions to ensure all students and staff are safe.

The reply has arrived 📫

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:06:08 GMT

Getting responses is just a click away.

How many clicks does it take to get a reply ?

One.

Imagine fewer voicemails, instantly translated replies and quick clarifications all with a tap! We've made it easy for your community to chat with you directly.

Here's what you need to know:

Replies will be sent to you as chats.

In your dashboard you can view your chats and replies from the Send a Chat page. Go to Messages > Send a Chat. Any unread chats that haven't been viewed within an hour will generate an email notification and preview to your email inbox.

Turn On/Off your chat visibility.

In your admin profile (Users > Admins), you can decide if you want families to have the ability to reply to your messages by turning On/Off your chat visibility. Chat visibility is On by default.

Replying on the app prompts contacts to verify.

If someone who has not verified tries to reply to as app message a popup will appear asking them to verify with their code. This includes instructions to receive their code via text.

Do you have questions or need support? Contact us at info@reachwellapp.com

Quick Hits to Boost Virtual Engagement during COVID Uncertainties

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:38:18 GMT

You don't need to recreate the wheel--Flyer Connect has captured proven, and innovative ways that schools across the country are meeting their communities' needs amidst the pandemic. See how six schools are changing the game.

Boost family survey results to know who's showing up and who's staying remote
During the pandemic, too many districts struggle to reach silent families. Receiving survey responses is difficult to understand their plan to return to in-person learning, access to internet, food assistance or healthcare. Relying on email surveys generate low results but, meeting families where they are is the logical step. Camelback Academy in Phoenix, AZ faced a similar issue; reaching families in the language via their app, text, and email resulted in nearly 100% response rate in just a couple weeks.

Here's some tips:

Don't make every question required, especially if it's not essential.
Keep it short; ask for no more that eight easy to answer questions per survey.
Test it out. Take the survey yourself and time your response time. Take it on multiple devices, especially your smartphone.
Translate all questions and response options in the survey to meet your families' language needs.

Keep up a personal connection with your families

I'm a hugger and even if you're not, we're all missing the personal touch in 2020. Districts and schools are using video in innovative ways to keep their personal connections going. Counselors are sharing stress management tips, principals are sharing weekly video newsletters, and district leaders are hosting virtual coffee talks.

Here's some recommendations for Flyer Connect partner schools:

Adams 14 share's their videos as links to youtube in app and email announcements.
KIPP Paseo shares frequent video shorts as tappable banners from the school's homepage.
Pasting a transcript of your video in the body of your flyer message with your video will translate the video message, give the user the ability to hear the message in their language, and still receive that personal message we're all in need of!

Daily health screeners before they walk through the doors
I don't even need to name the ways that these past several months has been a logistical challenge. As students come back for in-person instruction, getting a quick health screener shouldn't be on the list of hurdles. For students back in class at GALS Denver and Willow Elementary, families access a daily health screener with one tap.

Here's some tips:

GALS Denver makes it easily accessible through a tappable banner.
Willow Elementary links to the screener from the resource tab.
Families can take the survey at home, or when students arrive at the door.
In the survey, ask for student IDs as a way to quickly identify who is completing the form, without leaving room for error on only typing a first name.

Simplify schedule changes with live updates
It's hard to plan ahead. One week, you're preparing for in-person learning, and the next week you're learning that COVID cases are rising. 2020 is the year of consistently reassessing the game plan. Help families keep up with changing schedules by updating a synced calendar to the app.

Here's some tips:

During hybrid learning, New Legacy Charter School makes it easy for families to know when their students are learning in person, with class schedule updates in their calendars.
Update calendars four weeks at a time, to ensure that the most up-to-date schedule is posted. This avoids confusion and prevents families from seeing outdated scheduling on the app.
Teachers can sync their own classroom calendars, so that families only see information that is pertinent to them.

Family Survey Results: ReachWell App Notifications Preferred over Texts and Emails

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:47:19 GMT

Over the summer, over 700 family contacts completed a survey to let us know how they prefer to receive communication from their schools.

This summer, Reachwell surveyed the community to understand what features they are using most in the app, and how they want to receive family communication. Here's what families told us:

Reachwell notifications are the preferred method of communication by over 150 percent

When asked their preferred method of communication, families told us that they want Reachwell app notifications 150% more than email and 170% more than texts. Only 4% of responses wanted school updates from calls, and 1% want to get updates on Facebook.

Respondents said they preferred Reachwell Connect app notifications over other methods because the app is "one location for notes and notifications" and because they easily "can refer back if I miss information or need a reminder." Unlike email or text, they don't need to search through a full inbox to find the information they need. "The [Reachwell] notifications are more like alerts and catch my attention quicker than an email. Emails can get lost."

Our recommendations : Text messages are a perfect way to send out quick emergency notifications and emails can complement your app notifications. Some ReachWell partners will send an email and app notification at the same time. Families can opt out of email notifications through the app if they don't want to get the same communication twice.

Families love the "easy to find calendars"

One feature families repeatedly told us they appreciate about the ReachWell app is the calendar feature. "I like seeing a calendar and daily events."

Families told us they want their schools to use the calendar feature even more. Some wished their classrooms connected their calendar to the app, so they could see classroom assignments. One of the more consistent complaints was that calendars weren’t always kept up-to-date, which caused confusion if schedule changes occurred.

Our recommendations: When building out a family-facing calendar, first add all district events, like the first day of school, testing dates, and holidays. After, add events four weeks into the future at a time. That will help keep your calendar up-to-date, and will avoid the likelihood of listing rescheduled events on the wrong dates. As a bonus feature, have your teachers connect their classroom calendars to their groups, so that families can easily keep up with assignments!

Thinking creatively about resources, forms, and payments increases engagement

Families appreciated when schools offered a robust resource section. One family was excited that they could "pay for lunch, check grades, and complete an absent form," while another said, "I like being able to find things like staff roster, school schedule, etc, all in one easy place."

Our recommendations: Think about the calls you receive the most, or the resources your social worker struggles to get out to families. The resource section can be a time-saving tool where families can easily find those resources. ReachWell also recommends using our form templates to connect remotely with your community. Forms and surveys can help schools get a better understanding of their community's technology needs, or allows families to submit photos they want to see on the app. Connect to the ReachWell team, and we can help you think creatively about using resources, forms, and surveys to meet your community's specific needs.

Families want to get the information they need fast, especially when they can't show up in person

When asked what they liked about the ReachWell app, one family said, "Everything. Im not active at the school due to work schedule, the app allows me to receive information."

We heard comments like, "ReachWell is faster than the social media site," or "it’s quicker to access the info through the app than through email," and "I like the quick short notices." If you noticed a theme here, the ReachWell community consistently reported that they wanted easy and fast information. Some even complained if messages were too long.

Our recommendations: Send your community multiple short messages throughout the week, rather than one long message a week. Some ReachWell schools even choose specific days of the week for certain types of communication to build even more consistency in their communication norms. For example, families receive classroom communication on Mondays, health and wellness communication on Tuesdays, and school events on Wednesdays.

Want more tips to increase your family engagement? Schedule a time with us here !

Distance Learning with ReachWell

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 20:35:37 GMT

Easily Send and Receive Assignments, even for students who don't have home internet access

ReachWell is guided by a few key principles, which we believe are more important than ever with the uncertainties of the school year: equity, access and engagement. That’s why messages and private chats on ReachWell translate into over 100 languages and we don’t require logins to our platform. All families should be able to engage with their children's’ schools, even if their phone numbers change regularly, they don’t have an email, their home language is not English, or they do not have internet access at home.

With that in mind, we designed our app so that you can easily deliver assignments and e-learning materials. The following steps will ensure you are sharing information in a way that students and families can keep up with.

Send Assignments, Reminders, and Deadlines in a Broadcast Message

Broadcast messaging is a direct way to communicate with families and students. They will receive translated notifications when you send a message, and messages will appear in their newsfeed on the app.

Think about the goal you wrote for your students this week, and what action you want to see them take. There are various messages you might send through ReachWell: assignment notifications, links to resources, or heartfelt reminders that you miss them using emojis and photos. When sending assignments, you can insert an image directly into the message, link to a website, or send the assignment as an attachment. No matter the type of message, we have three guidelines for sending assignments.

Most Relevant information goes first

Write a clear message title

The first sentence should grab their attention and give the information they need

Give a specific action that is clear what families need to complete

Actionable

Concise

Give a deadline

When do they complete the assignment?

How do they complete the assignment?

How do they submit the assignment? Include your email, submission link, or request them to chat you if your school has synced contacts

Syncing your Google or Outlook Calendar to your Group's Profile

As a group admin, you can sync a calendar to your group. You don’t need to add a new calendaring tool to your life, we sync to Google or Outlook, so that you can add daily assignments for students to access, right in the calendar tool that you’re already used to.

When creating a calendar event to send e-learning materials, use the description section to give additional information on the assignment, with live links to the work, to your online classroom, or a video. Students can keep up with the dates they need to get work done because it’s clearly organized in a calendar for them.

You can even connect your Google Classroom calendar into your ReachWell application. Google Classroom automatically generates a calendar for you. Any time you create an assignment, Google Calendar generates a calendar event on the due date. Families and students can see those assignments directly on the ReachWell app.

Send and Receive Assignment Responses in a Chat

Chatting is the most direct way to communicate with and get responses from families and students. They will receive the chat in the language of their choice, and when they respond to you, you can translate their chat back into English.

You can send an assignment to multiple contacts at once. They will receive it as a one-to-one communication, so they won't be able to see responses of other contacts. (Think of it like a BCC in an email.) To receive the assignment submission, they are able to type out the answer, or take a photo of their complete assignment.

Back-to-School Webinar Schedule

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 21:58:41 GMT

Webinars to guide you through rolling over for the new school year

Self-paced Trainings (25 minutes)

Contact Sync Webinar (Clever or a CSV)

Economy (No Contact Sync) Webinar

Group Admin Training

Building a Community where Everyone 'Feels Seen, Heard, and Supported'

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:56:54 GMT

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter uprisings, one thing has become overwhelmingly clear: business as usual in our criminal justice and education systems will no longer be tolerated. We must begin to dismantle racist structures within these systems, and then we can chip away at the racist cultural norms that live within them. However, protests and large-scale engagement in the Black Lives Matter movement show this is not the only way to make change. By building anti-racism into our everyday actions, we can impact the way our systems are structured from the beginning.

Being anti-racist as an educator or community partner can take many shapes and forms. Building community is one of them. I read the first commitment of the Black Lives Matter's beliefs several times over: "Every day, we recommit to healing ourselves and each other, and to co-creating alongside comrades, allies, and family a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported ."

I am hopeful that together we can build a world in which each person feels seen, heard, and supported. But I recognize we are still far from that vision, which brings me to ask: what do we need to do to get there?

As a family engagement platform, we at ReachWell strongly believe in the power of an inclusive community, and the long-term, positive impact that it will have on our children and society at-large. Recent events have reminded us that it will take some serious work to get there. The good news is that there are proven practices already in place, and we can leverage them to make our communities safer and stronger for everyone--especially those who are most vulnerable to racist systems and structures.

Shawn Ginwright is one voice that has inspired us recently: Ginwright's The Future of Healing: Shifting from Trauma Informed Care to Healing Centered Engagement discusses an asset-based approach to working with communities who have experienced trauma. Though the article focuses on ways to heal young people, these practices can be expanded to families, and even staff, to create an environment where all feel welcome and can express their full individuality.

"A healing centered approach is holistic involving culture, spirituality, civic action and collective healing. A healing-centered approach views trauma not simply as an individual isolated experience, but rather highlights the ways in which trauma and healing are experienced collectively. The term healing-centered engagement expands how we think about responses to trauma and offers a more holistic approach to fostering well-being."

Ginwright's approach starts with empathy, moves into dreaming big, and generates reflection and action. Our vision of the future cannot exist without action. Here’s what we at ReachWell are committed to doing to make our vision of an inclusive community a reality:

Previously ReachWell has predominantly worked alongside school staff to help develop our product. Today we commit to reaching out to families at these schools and organizations as well, and we hope to incorporate even more voices from across our community as we work to create a more inclusive product.
We recognize we wield power when we consider whose voices we highlight in blog posts, newsletters, and events. Today we commit to intentionally centering voices from the BIPOC and immigrant community whenever possible.
“Engagement” and “family” are two terms that we use regularly, both of which may have multiple definitions. Today we commit to expanding our definition of an “engaged family,” to be inclusive of all cultures and circumstances.
As small a team, we can overlook the experiences outside of our company. Today we commit to actively creating a company culture that attracts individuals of all backgrounds, where our increasingly diverse team can bring their unique voices to shape the future of our company. We commit to creating a culture where each individual we collaborate with from our partnering schools and organizations feels respected, seen, and heard.

We believe Black lives matter. We know we need to work harder to see that truth reflected in our world. Together with our community, we commit to doing that work.

Webinar Recording: Overcome Communication Barriers

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 16:48:47 GMT

Learn how to engage ELL, Low-Literate and Visually Impaired Families with Flyer Connect

App and Dashboard Features for the 2020-21 School Year

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 16:46:45 GMT

Check out these enhancements to improve distance learning for the fall.

Easy Family Communication

Inbound and outbound two-way chat translation
Messaging that retains formatting after translation
Search for the contact you want to private one-to-one chat with by the student's name
Increased the number of attachments and the attachment size you can share in a message
Coming soon! App for teachers and staff for sending messages, sending and receiving chats, and viewing a message newsfeed on the go.

Quick Actions on the Dashboard

Quickly archive your messages
Intuitive, one-click access on the dashboard to update app features on the school and groups pages
Group profiles now feature a group banner and icon, and groups can now sync a classroom calendar to keep families up-to-date on assignment deadlines
Coming soon! Upload groups and group admins in a CSV.

Streamlined Contact Management

Bulk Actions to invite families on the app via email or printable PDF.
Easily assign contacts to groups through Clever Sections, which pulls data from your SIS
Coming soon! Bulk text message invites that will send a family their unique code.

Enhanced Usage and Message Analytics

Export analytics to see which groups have been actively engaging families
Coming soon! Detailed message analytics to see how each family is engaging with every message sent out

Superintendent, Dani Trimble, shares how Flyer Connect became instrumental in her communication methods with the community.

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 22:50:41 GMT

How Alburnett County Schools Used Flyer Connect to Inform the Community to Pass a $11.64 Million Bond

The $11.64 million facility bond did not pass in 2019, and the district's academic programs were at capacity in its current facilities.

Dani Trimble, Superintendent of Alburnett Community Schools, knew that strong community engagement was vital for voters to approve the bond this year. "So the Flyer app that we had become so accustomed to using really turned into a strong communication tool for us in the process," Trimble says.

One of the most powerful ways Trimble and her team used the Flyer Connect app was to broadcast recorded videos, to respond to an ongoing FAQ, and to send reminders to exercise their duty to vote multiple times on election day.

"I would consider the communication we did through this platform to be very key to the success. We, in the end, were successful with our bond election. It took two times, but we were able to use the platform in a different way."

Hear it all in Dani Trimble's words in the video below.

Integrate All Calendars in One Place for your Families

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 16:20:22 GMT

On ReachWell, your school can integrate classroom and organizational calendars in one easy view to help your community keep up with assignments, deadlines, and events.

Parents are keeping up with a lot these days. They are working from home, juggling a zoom call with their kids running around in the background, and taking on educational support for their kids at an unprecedented level. The last thing you want is to make it difficult for them to know their kids' classroom meeting times and assignment due dates. However, that's the reality for many parents across the country. My brother and sister-in-law told me they spend hours on just compiling lesson planning materials and figuring out the upcoming week's schedule.

ReachWell's calendar integration feature creates a seamless experience for families and students to see both school deadlines and classroom homework assignments in one view. Because you can integrate a calendar for both your school and every group, families can easily navigate deadlines across the organization.

School admins and teachers can continue managing their classroom events in the same calendaring tool they've always used--Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, or Google Classroom. A one-time sync from the calendar to ReachWell takes less than ten minutes, and once it's connected, keeping families on track with upcoming events is as easy as managing your own personal calendar. For teachers using Google Classroom, it's just as seamless. Assignments in the Classroom are automatically added to the ReachWell calendar.

Watch the video below to see how to connect your Google Classroom to your group's profile.

Sending Assignments and E-Learning Materials

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 15:17:39 GMT

Flyer Connect's app is designed to easily send students assignments and connect them with their online classroom, even when they don't have home internet access. Watch our webinar or read the article with our tips on best practices.

With schools in uncharted waters now that remote learning is being deployed, Flyer Connect has a guide on how to ensure students have access to what they need to be successful, even at a distance.

Flyer Connect is guided by a few key principles, which we believe are more important than ever with the current school closures: equity, access and engagement. That’s why messages and private chats on Flyer Connect translate into over 100 languages and we don’t require logins to our platform. All families should be able to engage with their children's’ schools, even if their phone numbers change regularly, they don’t have an email, their home language is not English, or they do not have internet access at home.

With that in mind, we designed our app so that you can easily deliver assignments and e-learning materials. The following steps will ensure you are sharing information in a way that students and families can keep up with.

Step 1: Think through what you want students to accomplish this week

Some examples of outcomes might be:

Do you want students to complete assignments by a certain date?

Do you want them to schedule a wellness check with you weekly?

Do you want them to practice their reading at home?

With a clear outcome in mind, it’s much easier to clearly communicate the one action item you want students to complete.

Step 1: Send Assignments, Reminders, and Deadlines in a Broadcast Message

Broadcast messaging is the most direct way to communicate with families and students. They will receive translated notifications when you send a message, and messages will appear in their newsfeed on the app.

Think about the goal you wrote for your students this week, and what action you want to see them take. There are various messages you might send through Flyer Connect: assignment notifications, links to resources, or heartfelt reminders that you miss them using emojis and photos. When sending assignments, you can insert an image directly into the message, link to a website, or send the assignment as an attachment. No matter the type of message, we have three guidelines for sending assignments.

Most Relevant information goes first

Write a clear message title

The first sentence should grab their attention and give the information they need

Give a specific action that is clear what families need to complete

Actionable

Concise

Give a deadline

When do they complete the assignment?

How do they complete the assignment?

How do they submit the assignment? Include your email, submission link, or request them to chat you if your school has synced contacts

Step 2: Syncing your Google or Outlook Calendar to your Group's Profile

As a group admin, our latest feature update gives you the ability to sync a calendar to your group. You don’t need to add a new calendaring tool to your life, we sync to Google or Outlook, so that you can add daily assignments for students to access, right in the calendar tool that you’re already used to.

You can even connect your Google Classroom calendar into your Flyer Connect application. Google Classroom automatically generates a calendar for you. Any time you create an assignment, Google Calendar generates a calendar event on the due date. Families and students can see those assignments directly on the Flyer Connect app.

Get the Right Resources to Families

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:33:23 GMT

Flyer Connect's app is designed to easily provide resources to families without inundating them with information. Watch our webinar or read the article with our tips on best practices.

Right now, more than ever, schools and organizations have access to a plethora of resources to provide for families. COVID-19 is not the only time you need to communicate these resources to families, but it presents a unique opportunity to streamline your communication methods, simply because of how rapidly information changes and the quantity of information available.

What we want to avoid is information overload. We're all feeling it to some extent. Free resources are popping up all over the place, and the more opportunities I hear about, the more overwhelmed I am to actually take action. If you and I are feeling that way, imagine being a parent without internet access. Or one who is new to the country and doesn’t speak English.

Flyer Connect is guided by a few key principles, which we believe are more important than ever with the current school closures: equity, access and engagement. That’s why messages and private chats on Flyer Connect translate into over 100 languages and we don’t require logins to our platform. All families should be able to engage with their children's’ schools, even if their phone numbers change regularly, they don’t have an email, their home language is not English, or they do not have internet access at home.

With that in mind, we designed our app so that you can easily give families the information they need. The following steps will ensure you are sending relevant, clear, and actionable resources to families.

Best Practices on Sending Resources

Set clear expectations of frequency of communication for all staff . Think about how much information we can absorb in one day. You don't want to pass that threshold when you're providing valuable information to your families!

Only offer necessary resources . A long compiled list of resources is a big barrier for most families. Make sure the resources you offer them are up-to-date and useful.

Organize resources for intended users . Make it easy for families to navigate your resources so they can find exactly the information that's specific to their needs.

Step 1: Think through what you want families to accomplish with the resources that you want to provide

Some examples of outcomes might be:

Do you want them to access community resources?

Do you want them to sign up for wellness check-ins?

Do you want them to request a resource that has a specific deadline?

With a clear outcome in mind, it’s much easier to clearly communicate the one action item you want families to complete.

Step 2: Compile Your Full List of Resources in the Flyer Connect Resource Section

Make the resource section easy to navigate

The most important tiles are at the top.

Create a tile for COVID-19 and another for E-Learning.

Make each resource tile easy to navigate

Limit the number of links

Place links in logical order, or

Name links by grade-level, subject, or teacher name

Step 3: Update Your Banners with the Two Most Important Resources

The banners on your school or organization's page are tappable, so that you can direct families to exactly where you want them to go.

Upload two banners to your page

One COVID-19 Resource banner

One E-Learning banner

Step 4: Send Broadcast Messages for Reminders, Calls to Action, and Deadlines

Broadcast messaging is the most direct way to communicate with your families. They will receive translated notifications when you send a message, and messages will appear in their newsfeed on the app. Broadcast messages should be for resources that have an action, deadline or reminder. You can even send heartfelt reminders that you miss them using emojis and photos, or add a link or attachment.

Most Relevant information goes first

Write a clear message title

The first sentence should grab their attention and give the information they need

Give a specific action that is clear what families need to complete

Actionable

Concise

Give a deadline

When do they complete the task?

How do they complete the task?

If you leave this page with one take away, I hope it's this: concise, actionable messages and organized and valuable resources. If you need any assistance using Flyer Connect to communicate with families, we are here to work with you!

No Kid Hungry Text Line Helps Families Find Meals During Coronavirus School Closures

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:47:24 GMT

Flyer Connect is partnering with Share our Strength and No Kid Hungry to provide families with accurate information as to where they can find their meals.

With schools across the country closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, schools, food banks and community organizations have stepped up to make sure kids continue to get the healthy meals they depend on every day. No Kid Hungry has launched a texting hotline to provide information about emergency food distribution sites in communities where schools have been closed due to COVID19. Families can text the word “FOOD” (or “COMIDA”) to 720-336-9663 to find their nearest sites. Make sure families know these meals are available and where they can find them by helping spread the word by sharing on social media and with your friends, family and colleagues. [ Learn More ]

Grants Available to Support Coronavirus Response If you're feeding children and families affected by the coronavirus, Share Our Strength is here to help. Schools and workplaces are closing nationwide due to coronavirus. Vulnerable children are losing the school meals they depend on, and low-income families are struggling with lost wages. We're offering emergency grants to support local school districts and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need. Please complete a brief information form , and our grants team be in touch with instructions if your organization is eligible for funding.

The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger has released a Request for Applications for the Colorado COVID-19 Emergency Hunger Relief Fund. More information in both English and Spanish, including the application, can be found on our website . Applications will open each week on Monday and close on Wednesday.

Covid-19 Webinars

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:15:45 GMT

Webinars: Connect and translate with communities, even from a distance

Maximize your students' remote learning experience with Flyer Connect's steps to provide resources to families and deliver e-learning materials to students.

Get the Right Resources to Families : Wednesday, April 8th 10:00-10:30am

Setting strong expectations with staff to communicate clear and actionable information to families
Providing easily accessible resources for families
Avoiding information overload, and making sure your efforts pay off

Sending Assignments and E-Learning Materials : Thursday, April 9th 10:00-10:30am

Communicating learning materials remotely in the family's language
Sending and receiving assignments when students aren't in the building
Making e-learning accessible to those who don't have home internet access

March 2020 Release Notes

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:35:44 GMT

Verification Prompts, Group Calendars, and Intuitive Dashboard Design Updates!

Get more families involved at all levels of your school or organization with our latest enhancements! Here's a quick run-down.

You'll no longer wonder which families have added your app with our new contact verification prompt. For our partners who upload/sync contacts we can now prompt your users to verify themselves. Each time an unverified user opens your app they'll be prompted to verify or dismiss. The pop-up will stop once they've verified.
Group calendars keep families in the loop of events happening at all levels of your organization or school. Group admins can add their own Google or Outlook calendars. Families who are members of such groups will see their calendar of the organization and their group's on one screen.
The School and Group dashboard pages are now easier to navigate. We've relabeled and added functional buttons, so that you can quickly update your banners, calendar, resources, and contacts. In the left-hand bar you'll see "App Setup." Tap on Schools/Orgs or Groups to see the new interface.

Your COVID-19 Checklist

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:50:54 GMT

Easily communicate with families in times of uncertainty.

With the spread of Coronavirus, students, families, and staff are impacted by the uncertainty of school closures. We at Flyer Connect have been blown away by the rapid response we've seen from our partnering schools and organizations. From their activities, we have compiled an emergency response checklist.

To get tips for responding to COVID-19, as well as important Flyer Connect updates, add the "Flyer Academy" school to your app.

Flyer Connect's Recommended COVID-19 Response Checklist

Schedule messages to keep connected

We are all feeling lonely, scared, and anxious, which means families want to hear from you. Send at least three messages a week to keep them informed, with the added benefit of giving families a sense of connection while isolated.
Schedule out your messages in advance, including where food is available during school closures, what activities they can do to support learning at home, or how to keep entertained while everyone is staying home. Flyer Academy on the app will share content ideas of what you can send to your families.

Add a COVID-19 Resources tile to the resources tab of the app

With so much confusion, families are seeking information. We have compiled a list of resources that you can update on your app and send out to families in your broadcast messages.

Update the School Calendar synced to the Flyer App

Delete cancelled events and update the first day back to school and any other recently added events.

Update a banner with a link to a resource

We've created a tappable banner for you to download on your computer, and upload into the dashboard. Link it to an informative resource, like this one .

Create a system for mental health check-ins with students

Use Flyer Connect's forms for families and students to schedule a time with their advisor, social worker, or counselor to ensure they are getting the mental support they need on a regular basis. We recommend setting up at least weekly check-ins, or students can send teachers a daily message via Flyer Connect chat or email to let them know if they need help and how they are feeling.

Create a system to collect remote learning work

To prevent a significant learning slump, many schools are sending work for students, even if the district has fully suspended classes. Teachers can send out messages with the week's assignment, and collect responses with Flyer Connect's homework submission form . This allows students who do not have home internet access to be able to stay connected with work via their phone data plans.

Do you need additional support on family communication during COVID-19 to meet your school or organization's specific needs? Flyer Connect is here to help, and we've opened up our calendars to work alongside you. Schedule a time with us here .

Free Translated Communication to Minimize COVID-19 Disruption

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:36:40 GMT

Close the Digital and Language Gap during School Closures

GET STARTED NOW

In response to the crisis and staying true to our social-mission, Flyer Connect will begin rolling out free access to our translated messaging tool, e-learning tools and wellness resources for all schools and districts.

Release to families in one day
Instantly deliver formatted translated messages to families including images, attachments and links without phone numbers, logins or email
Provide access to resources and information to stay healthy
Deliver learning materials without home internet access

I hope you and your families stay well. Please let us know how we can support you during this challenging time.

Take care,
Zuben Bastani
Founder and CEO, Flyer Connect

GET STARTED NOW

Culturally Responsive Education Isn't Only for the Beginning of the School Year

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 23:56:35 GMT

How to follow up with families mid-school year and keep them engaged

This fall, we discussed questions to ask families who are new to the country to begin your partnership for their child's education. As quarter four approaches, it may be easy to forget those early conversations you had with families. However, family engagement continues through all parts of the school year.

Understanding Barriers to Engagement

As one researcher found , there are a variety of reasons parents may not be fully engaged:

Cultural differences between home and school : Beyond language barriers, cultural differences from the way schools operate in their home country may impact your partnership with families. For example, “in many Latin American countries it is considered rude for a parent to intrude into the life of the school. Parents believe that it is the school’s job to educate and the parent’s job to nurture and that the two jobs do not mix.”
Constraints on parents' availability : Transportation issues, working multiple jobs, or caring for other kids can get in the way of being available to show up at the school.
Not fully understanding the system : Families may not understand the school's systems, such as how to read a report card or a grade point average. This can lead them to being uncomfortable asking questions to teachers and staff.
Feelings of Inadequacies : If a family doesn't speak the language or hasn't completed the same level of education as their child, they may feel they are unable to support learning at home.

Ways to Overcome Barriers

We dove into two research studies for proven methods of overcoming family engagement barriers:

Use an online platform with translation ability , like ReachWell, to provide information on upcoming events, assignments, and a way to answer any questions.
Sending three messages a week is proven to increase early childhood literacy. One message a week wasn't enough, and messages should be informational, actionable, or provide encouragement.
Assign interactive take-home projects that engages both parents and students. This can help families realize that they can be a part of learning at home.
Know the countries, languages, and religions that are represented in your classroom. Invite families to multi-cultural days or events where your class celebrates their holidays.
Keep important holidays in mind when planning tests or other activities. For example, don't plan a kickball game as a reward for your class during Ramadan when your Muslim students are fasting during the day.
Invite families to speak to the class.
Invite guest speakers to talk to parents about topics of interest, such as health benefits coverage, homework help, internet safety, etc.

There is so much you can do to engage all of your families. Tell us in the comments what your school is doing to be culturally responsive.

How ideas to improve medical practices inspired me to ask better questions as an educator

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 22:53:57 GMT

Culturally responsive family partnership starts with simple questions.

Years ago, I read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child , Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures , which depicts Lia Lee’s heartbreaking journey from a three-month old with perpetual seizures to becoming severely brain damaged at five years old. The author, Ann Fadiman, believes her condition may have been prevented if her American medical team had a better understanding of the family’s animist beliefs of her illness. Fadiman lists eight questions that medical professionals can ask to more effectively care for a patient from a different culture in order to avoid such a fate.

You might be thinking, “what does this have to do with education?”

If we shift this concept to our schools and students, what questions can we ask to better understand the educational expectations of our students and parents who are new to the country?

So here’s my go at the eight questions for culturally responsive family partnership. Chime in on your thoughts on what I am missing.

What did you like about your child’s previous school?
What would you have changed about your child’s previous school?
What are your hopes for your child’s future?
What are the most important results you hope your child gets from their education?
How can we as educators help your child reach their goals?
How would you like to be involved in your child’s education?
What information would you like to receive from the school?
What is the best way for us to give you that information?

Family Engagement is one of many challenges an educator faces. We know how important it is. Studies show higher engagement increases student results. But studies also show a correlation between lower engagement and low-income and English language learner families. My hypothesis is that we’ve just been doing family engagement inadequately, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Are these questions the answer? Not completely, but they might lead us on the path there.

February 2020 Release Notes

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:21:26 GMT

Emojis, Enhanced Attachments, Clever Sections Sync

Flyer Connects latest updates increases your messages more engaging

What’s New on the Web Dashboard

Emojis bring your personality to broadcast messages and private chats. Making families smile one Grinning-Face-with-Smiling-Eyes emoji at a time.
Enhanced attachments allow up to five attachments of 10MB to your message. We heard you loud and clear--one attachment, just wasn't enough.
Clever section sync speeds up assigning families to groups. Goodbye to the days of searching and checking off each user and bulk assigning them to a group!

What’s New on the App

Attachments were moved to the bottom of the message. With multiple attachments, your message won't get buried by a list of attachments.
Emojis from a family's keyboard will come through in a chat. ��
Change language preferences has been added to the profile section. Now that it's in two places, families can easily find how to get messages in the right language.

Case Study: ReachWell's Impact on Scuola Vita Nuova

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 20:14:02 GMT

A study by Lean Lab Education shows that ReachWell empowers families to get engaged with their children’s education and gives schools a simple yet powerful platform to keep families informed and participating.

Jessica Digiovanni, Scuola Vita Nuova's principal, had a challenge that many schools face: she struggled to effectively engage all families at her school. Scuola Vita Nuova (SVN) is in the heart of Northeast Kansas City, and their student body represents a variety of cultures and languages. Almost 70% of students speak a language other than English at home, including Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Arabic, Burmese and Swahili.

Previous Solutions Added More Work, With Less Than Ideal Outcomes

"Family engagement is really important at SVN," Digiovanni said. "With that comes some challenges in any setting. At our school, we were finding that sometimes our traditional modes of communication, such as paper flyers, were a waste of time and money." When Digiovanni opened students' backpacks, she would find crumpled up papers and flyers that never made it to the hands of their parents.

Robocalls and emails also proved ineffective. "If parents didn't answer the call in that moment, we couldn't be sure they were getting the message, and email was just not a mode of communication that our families regularly used."

Despite the effort and time Digiovanni and her team spent on family communication, families and students took the brunt of ineffective systems. Families were missing out on really important information regarding their child's education and important school events.

Implementing ReachWell: Getting More Results for Less Work

SVN rolled out ReachWell for both the main office staff and teachers to better communicate with families. The school uses the calendar sync function to keep families up-to-date on events and activities, and the resources tab gives families access to academic and social tools.

From parent surveys and teacher interviews, Lean Lab Ed measured overwhelmingly positive results for both families and staff.

86% of families feel extremely informed about school information with the ReachWell app
80% of families receive more frequent communication from the school with the ReachWell app
70% of families are more aware of how well my child is progressing along academic standards with the ReachWell app.

The study shows that the ReachWell app fosters:

Immediate action : “ReachWell has been a great support in collecting paperwork needed for students to attend field trips. Right after the notification, parents will stop and drop off the paperwork at SVN or provide it to their students.”
Quick access to information : "Families are able to see event information immediately via their phone, instead of having to wait via the mail to get a notification or via their students.”
Family-Teacher connections : “It gives a bridge to teachers to share a message and know that parents will be able to understand in their native language.”

Click here to see more details from Lean Lab Ed's research study.

Schedule a demo with us today!

January 2020 Release Notes

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 23:06:54 GMT

What’s New on the App

Group Banners: Group admins give personality to their group pages.
Group Message Views: View a filtered view of group messages in the group page.
Group Icon: News feed messages are easily distinguished by group based on their icon produced from the banner.

What’s New on the Web Dashboard

Copy a message: Save time by copying a previously sent message. Re-address and edit it to make it unique.
Picture Messaging from mobile admin dashboard
Enhanced Attachments: Multi-file Attachments to app notifications and email
SIS Section Sync: Allow parents to always stay in their student's classroom even as they change semesters, grades and schools. Teachers simply send a message to their group and their assured it's reaching everyone. This syncs nightly.

November 2019 Release Notes

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:58:11 GMT

What’s New on the App

Verified families can now choose how they want to receive messages (App, Email, Call, Text)
Linking banners: Set banners to link to websites to drive actions.

What’s New on the Web Dashboard

Pagination upgrades to Contacts and Students
Bulk Editing upgrades to Contacts and students to Export, Invite, Print Invites, Assign one, multiple or all filtered contacts or students.

Three Easy Steps on Using Flyer Connect for Student Enrollment

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 18:22:29 GMT

Flyer Connect is making it easy to engage prospective families and increase your student enrollment numbers for the 720-336-9663 school year.

Here are three easy steps to take full advantage of your Flyer Connect app to engage prospective families early on in the student enrollment process.

Step 1: Set up an opt-in Prospective Families group

This group sends targeted messages to prospective families. This serves two purposes:

Gives them real-time information on enrollment and registration
Signs them up for whole-school messages, so they can see that your school community values strong family communication

Step 2: Families download the Flyer Connect app during school tours

Enrollment campaigns should drive families into the school for a tour or attend a welcome event.

All families who attend a tour or event should download the Flyer Connect app, add your school, and join the Prospective Families group. This establishes a connection to family and gives these families consistent information to experience the school remotely.

Step 3: Nurture relationships, engage, and enroll

Schedule out all messages to the Prospective Families group from now until the end of the registration process. This can include event invites and RSVP links for upcoming activities that lead up to school choice and enrollment deadlines. This easy-to-track tool allows you to follow up with families who have not RSVPed.
Drive families to resources that prepare them for next year. Create a Prospective Families section in your resources tab, and send families a push notification informing them of the available resources. The Flyer app already includes helpful content that you can use for entering Kinder families to help them be Pre-K ready such as Dolch sight-word flashcards, eBooks, and activities families can perform with their students. Incoming middle and high school families can receive tips and activities to help stop the “summer slide.”
Promote your school culture through their app including student spotlights, weekly news, videos and other announcements.
Add online enrollment and registration forms to clickable banners and the Prospective Families resource section. When the time for choice arrives, families can submit their intent to enroll and choice applications directly from their app. Families can be notified and reminded directly on their phones.

Leveraging Current Families through Flyer Connect

Existing families are the best source for new families. Flyer makes referrals and sharing easy with a clickable banner linked to your Facebook page. That way, families can quickly share and promote your page and posts.
Post a clickable banner asking families to review your school. Review sites such as GreatSchools.org, SchoolDigger and Google influence family’s opinion.
Flyer makes positive reviews easy from your family community, especially when conducting a school survey. Positive survey respondents can be directed to review sites, and you can promote contests to increase reviews right from the app.
Post a clickable banner to Flyer’s refer-a-friend tool, and add the form to your resources tab. This automates referral tracking and analytics. With a tap, families share their school and customized messages are delivered to prospective families inviting them to schedule a tour. Referrals are tracked so families can be easily rewarded and recognized for their efforts.
Ask us to add our Intent to Enroll form to your app. By adding it to a push notification and a banner, you can quickly know who plans to return next school year.

Share with us how you are using Flyer Connect this year for student enrollment in the comments section!

To get a demo on how Flyer Connect can help your district and school for student enrollment, visit us at https://www.flyerconnect.org/

Grandparents as an Educational Asset

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 17:49:38 GMT

Family engagement is more than getting parents involved. It's finding the community around a student, and making them part of the learning team. West Virginia's Department of Education is doing just that in its battle against the opioid crisis.

West Virginia's Department of Education (WVDE) is looking to an often underutilized population as a part of its strategy in the state's battle against the opioid crisis: grandparents. Through its ReClaimWV initiative, WVDE is collaborating across the education sector to enhance student's social-emotional, physical, behavioral, and mental health development. WVDE is using Flyer Connect to deliver technical assistance and disseminate information to all school districts regarding grandparents.

In 2017, West Virginia led the country in deaths caused from drug-related overdose. "West Virginia’s students are suffering from the fallout of the substance abuse epidemic that is engulfing the state’s adults. The trauma these children are experiencing affects not only their ability to learn but their entire lives," says the ReclaimWV website.

Because of the substance abuse epidemic, the number of grandparents raising school age grandchildren--or GrandFamilies, as ReClaimWV calls them--has soared. With over 40,000 students living in a home with a grandparent, ReClaimWV has found an ally to support students' academic success. In its partnership with Flyer Connect, WVDE provides strategies, suggestions, and professional development to school districts as they develop and implement targeted resources and programming that address the needs of GrandFamilies.

Tips to get grandparents involved in their grandchildren's education

Make information easy to access . Provide targeted messaging just for grandparents on a platform that is accessible to all. Flyer Connect and WVDE staff are designing campaigns for targeted groups, such as grandparents. For example, WVDE has a GrandFamilies group on the Flyer Connect app for school personnel to engage grandparents in learning. The campaign is specifically based on the needs of West Virginia GrandFamilies and includes various state-specific resources.
Reach out regularly with actionable information . WVDE's GrandFamilies campaign sends out short, biweekly messages to grandparents, with specific, actionable messages, like how to ask your grandchild about school or ways grandparents and grandchildren can learn together. Also included in the campaign are a number of resources accessible through Flyer Connect. Some resources include a one-page resource that is ready to distribute, state and county agencies that provide training for grandparents, and brief, concrete programming examples.
Value their experience . Grandparents have decades of experience. On top of that, they are context experts in their grandchildren's home life. Ask them for their input, invite them to participate, and recognize their skills that they bring to their grandchildren's education and the school-community at-large. The WVDE campaign includes a survey that schools can use to gather valuable data from grandparents.
Think holistically about students' learning team . If a child doesn't have grandparents as additional support, who else in a child's life can be advocates of their learning? WVDE suggests that school personnel invite other family members who support the child's learning and all school staff including related service providers, support staff, and community agency staffs to use Flyer Connect.

For more information on ReClaimWV, visit https://wvde.us/reclaimwv/ and view its grandparent outreach campaign here
To see how Flyer Connect can be part of rethinking your family engagement strategy, learn more and sign up for a demo at https://www.flyerconnect.org/

The Top Resources Families Want

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:53:36 GMT

We conducted a focus group with families in San Antonio, TX and looked at our app's click data. Here's what we learned about the resources they want.

We live in a time of information inundation. As a result, our red flags easily go up with immediate skepticism of new messages that come our way. That can create a challenge for schools who want to get important resources out to families. As one parent in the focus group said, “If it feels too much like spam, I’ll get desensitized, and won’t look at your messages!”

So, then, what do families care about?

Accessing Grades through the Parent Portal: Out of all resources on the Flyer app, the parent portal is by far the most visited, with 67% more clicks than our next most visited link. That’s no surprise: families want an easy way to stay informed on how their child is progressing at school.
Tutoring Resources : Families in the focus group emphatically yelled out, “yes, definitely!” when asked if they would like their school to share information about tutoring opportunities in the area.
Your School’s Specific Academic Resources : As we dug through our click data, we noticed that visits to online academic tools far outnumbered visits to health and wellness websites. Families in the focus group gave us even more insight. Providing academic resources isn’t enough. They want to know that the resources align with their child’s activities at school. So when families click to a page like Khan Academy, if they have any uncertainty that it’s related to their child’s classroom content, they were not likely to revisit the website.
Other Resources Families Want: During the focus group, families also said they would like to get information about after-school activities, youth services, mental health, and immigration resources.

October Release Notes Version 1.010

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 17:39:08 GMT

Formatted Messaging, Tap to add calendar events, Set Notification Preferences, and More!

We’re excited about the latest updates, and we think you will be too (especially because we got a lot of these ideas from you!). Here are some of the changes that will make your life easier:

What’s New on the App

Tap to Add Calendar Events: When families open a calendar event, they can tap the top right icon to add it onto to their personal calendars.
Set Notification Preferences: Verified families now can set their notification preferences by opting out of calls, texts, push notifications, or emails. Just tap on the "Profile" icon in the top right corner and tap "Settings.”

What’s New on the Web Dashboard

Formatted Messaging: Our messaging tool now retains all message formats while being passed through translation via app notification and email. This is unique to Flyer Connect! This includes URL Hyperlinks and even Bold, Underline, Italics, Justification, Headers, etc.
Contact Notification Preferences: School Admins can now set notification preferences for their contacts to disable call / text / emailing.
Draft Button: When sending messages, we’ve made it clearer that you are making a draft, rather than sending out a message. When you click “Draft” it will save the message in your “All Messages” screen. If the message was previously published, hitting “Draft” will remove the message from the newsfeed.
Admin List Export: See a full list of your school and group admins by clicking the “Export” button.
Contact Sort by Status: We’ve made it easier to group which contacts have verified, and which are unverified. Click the Status column, and it will order families by status.
“No Group” Filter: It’s now easier to know which students or contacts are not assigned to their private groups. On the Contacts and Students pages, select “No Group” on the groups selection screen to filter your view for those who need a group assignment. This will make it easier to associate new students to their groups!

Three ways you can help families complete complex tasks

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

A 2018 study provides easy tips for family and student communication

I remember my first year working at a middle school in Brooklyn, and the shock as I watched my 8th grade students undergo the application process for high schools . If you work or live in an area where the days of easily moving from your neighborhood elementary school to neighborhood middle school to neighborhood high school are long gone, you might have an idea of the complexity of it all.

The whole process resembles college applications to an extent I would have never expected. In the beginning, I had trouble navigating the process, that I can only imagine the confusion of parents who are new to the country, going through this for the first time, or speak a language other than English.

A 2018 study measured the effectiveness of sending text messages to get high school students to complete their FAFSA forms. Did it work? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no.

Getting information to your target groups, whether it’s students or families, is not just sending the information their way, making sure it arrives safely in their laps. It’s about how you message that information. Yes, texts and push notifications are great because everyone is looking at their phones almost constantly these days. You can be sure the message arrives to their back pocket, but how do you make sure they understand the message and they take action?

Messaging fosters action when:

It comes from someone you know
You can directly respond and ask clarifying questions
You receive individualized action steps in bite-size bits based on what you need to do right now, rather than a generalized and extensive list of to-do’s

“Information that provides individuals with highly personalized, actionable information about concrete steps they can take to advance through complicated processes may support people to persevere through these informational and behavioral bottlenecks.”

What have you done that works well when navigating complex processes with families? Tell us here

September 2019 Release Notes

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:36:57 GMT

New Family App Interface, Linking Banners and more!

What’s New in Version 1.009

We heard your feedback, and you might see some of your ideas in our newest update!

Mobile App - School Selection Page
Removed the "+" button and share buttons
Created an +Add button to add your school or organization: Improved and alphabetized the School Search screen
Created an "I have a code" button to support schools/organizations who are verifying families. We also updated the language to make it more clear.
Improved the Translation selection button
Added an "Admin Login" button to make it easier for staff to send messages from the web dashboard
Added a "Swipe Left to Remove" feature to make it easier for families to remove themselves from a school

Mobile App - School Homescreen

Added clickable banners
Removed the "+" icon where forms originally lived. This summer your forms were moved to the "Resources" tab.
Moved the Contact Us feature to the menu bar
Added a Menu icon in the top left corner (removed the school icon)

Web Dashboard

Banners can have clickable links
Banner order can be drag/dropped like the resources tab

A few other recent changes from 1.007 and 1.008 in case you missed them:

Visit the Help Page in the Web Dashboard for more details.

Scheduled Messaging
Student and Contact Bulk Assignments
Student and Contact Graduation
2 Way Chat messaging
Analytics
Editing Forms

Happy Flyering!

Zuben and the Flyer team

How community partnerships can boost your family engagement

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:48:45 GMT

When the Director of Youth Services at Commerce City Parks and Recreation was struggling to promote their programs to local families, she saw the answer on her phone with her school district's Flyer app. After reaching out to Adams 14 School District, Flyer worked with Youth Services to set up an easy way for Parks and Rec to manage their own content on the app and deliver class schedules and events directly to the families of the school district.

Flyer's group messaging feature could also allow Parks and Rec to make announcements and reminders without relying on district or school admins to be an intermediary. The best part is that families can choose what messages they wish to receive simply by opting-out of groups.

We're looking to form more partnerships like this with a wide range of community-based organizations, including food pantries and immigration services, to improve their ability to serve families with school-age children. If you know of any non-profits who would be interested in using Flyer to reach their beneficiaries please let us know--we'd love to be introduced.

Project-based Learning and Flyer

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 14:54:53 GMT

Pagosa Peak Open School (K-8) opened last September and has a good success rate communicating with parents, thanks in part to Flyer. Though their families have access to their student information system's communication app, Flyer made sense because its ease of use and how well it fits with the school model.

Pagosa Peak is a project-based learning school. They take a lot of trips to Wolf Creek resort, the growing dome, and nearby wilderness camps. They are using their app to schedule and manage the logistics for each project to ensure parents are consistently updated and informed. Without the app, for example, it would be hard to remind parents about the field trip and what the kids will need for the day.

“Teachers feel more secure, parents are happier, and kids stay warm and fed,” says Ursala Hudson, school board director.

Ready-to-Use Tips: Preventing Substance Abuse Among Our Kids

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 14:54:51 GMT

Recommended use: The Flyer Team recognizes that a major concern among the parents of school-aged children is how to teach responsibility regarding substance abuse. We've compiled some resources broken down by age group that we think would be beneficial for your families. These are designed for copying and pasting into a push notification (or edited as you see fit) content can be linked directly using the supplied URL.

Messages we will send out for Elementary-aged Students:

Message 1: Tap here to learn what to say to your elementary school ages child about drugs (5-8 year olds). The article gives different scenarios and tips for what to say to your 5- to 8-year old child who's eager to please but also exploring their individuality. https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/#tips

Message 2: Tap here for a 2 minute elementary school age kids video - "I'm Only Me if I'm Drug Free." This video was made by a teen, about a child who has important choices to make. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEpF4Q_FaqQ&list=PLsyxMHY1gSgxNegv5luSzCwH9TjA0hbXq

Message 3: Tap here to learn what to say to your preteen about drugs (9-12 year olds). This article gives great scenarios and tips for starting the conversation with your preteen, who tends to give their friends' opinions a great deal of power. https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/#tips3

Messages we will send out for Middle/High school students:

Message 1: Tap here to watch a compelling video on Understanding Teens & Vaping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjYT4YG7jOk

Message 2: Need some helping talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol. Tap here to read Cue Cards for Talking to Your Kids about Drugs and Alcohol. https://www.greatschools.org/gk/cue-cards/?l=J2

Message 3: Tap here to read "What to Say to Your Teenager About Drugs" 720-336-9663 year olds). This article gives different scenarios and tips for your teen who needs detailed and reality-driven messages from you. https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/#tips4

Message 4: Power of Parents: 3 out of 4 teens say their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking. Start the conversation now. Tap here to learn how. https://www.madd.org/the-solution/power-of-parents/

12 Ways of Family Engagement

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 23:03:23 GMT

This holiday season use ReachWell to engage ALL your families

12 ways you can use ReachWell to engage families this holiday season:

Audio Files ��

Record your students singing the school song!
Take a voice note on your smartphone to wish families Happy Holidays.
Link to a podcast like Wow in the World .

PDFs ��

Get posters and flyers in delivered to families' email or phones in seconds.
School Holiday card? Attach it and Share it!

Images ��

Ugly Sweater competition: take submissions via the feedback form and share the results!
Share photos of kids holiday plays & parties.
Use canva.com (one of our favorite tools) to build an image/brochure/post to keep families in the know.

Documents��

Attach Word, XLS, PPT files for families to download.
Share via email or Push Notification for them to save and reference later.

Videos!!! ��

Send a video holiday card.
Share highlight reel of the year.
Got a school video? Share it and have families share it.

Release Notes - November 2018

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 17:03:03 GMT

Clever Sync, Enhanced Text Editor, Attachments and more

Clever Secure Sync

In October we released our Private groups in October which allowed for schools import contacts, assign them to private groups and message them privately via email, text and the app.

In November we've expanded on that capability to help schools keep their contacts updated. This is our integration with Clever Secure Sync and Instant Login. Our partnership with Clever allows schools and districts to maintain their roster in their Student Information System and have it sync nightly with Flyer Connect to bring in new contacts, update existing contacts and remove old contacts. Our Clever Sync feature is available to District and School level admins who have a free Clever account.

Enhanced Text Editor

Our new text editor improves usability in many ways including:

Copy and paste formatted text from Word and Google Docs.
Inserting and embedding hyperlinks
Formatting text
Copy and pasting images and gifs
Character counter - This is helpful when sending Text messages that has a maximum character limit of 160 characters

Attachments

Attachments make it easy to share files via email and push notifications with your community. Simply tap "Add File" and upload your file off your computer.

Files have a maximum size of 5MB per message which is perfect for presentations, flyers, photos and short videos!

Flyer Connect supports the follow types of files:

Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, PDF
Documents: CSV, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, txt
Videos: MPEG, MOV
Audio: MP3, M4A

We look forward to seeing al the creative ways schools will use attachments to be more engaging and productive!

iOS and Android - Individual Message Center

Verified users in the Flyer School app can now receiving individual messages from district, school or group admins. These messages are located in the message center. The message center includes a bouncing indicator to notify the user of any unread messages. These messages are delivered to the user as push notifications in the same way group-wide and school-wide messages are delivered.

Resources to address and prevent school violence

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 20:26:50 GMT

This month we're focused on our 3rd pillar of family engagement:

Improved communication
Increased participation
DELIVER RESOURCES

Be on the lookout for some exciting announcements about Flyer 2.0. Can't wait? Contact us today .

With the nation's attention on school violence we've been watching our schools' communication. Here are a couple of great resources that our schools have shared with their families to support their students.

1. Talking to Children About Violence - The National Association of School Psychologists released this brief handout to help parents address their student's fears and concerns.

How information is shared is as important as what is shared. We recommend breaking up the seven steps into smaller notifications to increase read-rates. Click the language below to download a PDF in your families' language: English , Spanish , Korean , Vietnamese , French , Amharic , Chinese , Portuguese , Somali , Arabic , Kurdish

2. Safe2Tell - Safe2Tell Is an anonymous school safety reporting system widely used in Colorado but is also available nationwide. According to Safe2Tell, " In four out of five school shootings examined by the U.S. Secret Service, someone knew the event was going to take place before it occurred. They also found that most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that raised concern or indicated a need for help. Since 2004, Safe2Tell has received reports and aided in the prevention of hundreds of separate school attacks, helped prevent thousands of youth suicides and intervened in countless threatening and dangerous situations."

To learn more or start a Safe2Tell program at your school please contact them here:
http://safe2tellusa.org/contact.htm

Client Spotlight!

With the tax deadline approaching, March can add additional stress for many households distracting them from their student's school performance.

The good folks at KIPP: CHICAGO Ascend are using their Flyer app to serve their community. Using Flyer's platform, Ascend is informing families about free and local tax counseling services in their area.

Looking to do the same at your school?

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. With locations all across the country this can be a useful resource for your families.

2018-2019 Enrollment Toolkit!

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 17:33:11 GMT

Using your Flyer School App to Boost Enrollment

Now that the holidays have come and gone, it's time to set our sights on enrollment for the 720-336-9663 school year . Leveraging your Flyer School App to execute an enrollment campaign will drum up excitement among your current families and draw in prospective students to your awesome school community! Between banners, promotional videos, digital registration forms, we've put together a toolkit to ensure that you're maximizing your enrollment and registration campaign!

Sample Banners...Ready to be added to your app!

BANNERS: Update your banners to promote your Open House. Robust promotion of these events will yield greater attendance, which will (finger’s crossed!) translate into higher enrollment! We can add an existing “Open House” banner to your app if you already have one, or you can use one of our pre-fab versions (Banner #s 1 & 2 above)
TOURS: During school tours, encourage prospective families to download your school app. Whereas your website should function as your shiny brochure for your school, your app enables you to share your more of your school culture with your families. They will be able to get a sense of what takes place on a day-to-day level.
REFER-A-FRIEND: Utilizing the “Refer a Friend” feature on your app to tell people about your school! Turn your families into advocates! If that functionality is not currently active but you want it to be, let us know and we’ll get that taken care of for you! (Banner # 3 above)
DIGITAL FORMS: Increase RSVPs and Student Registrations using digital forms! We can add an existing digital form or work with you to create one for your school. Regardless, announcing that registration is OPEN on your app will remind people to get on it!
PROMO VIDEO: Do you have a promotional video for your school that you host on your website, or highlight on social media? We can add the video to the home screen of your app! Career Success High School in Phoenix, AZ, made a video incorporating information about the school, including testimonials from administration, students, and parents, and added the video to their Flyer School App. You get an immediate sense of being welcomed when you open their app for the first time, and are eager to learn more! Great job, CSHS!

Want to add one (or more) of these banners to your app? Click here to tell us which banners you'd like, and we'll take care of it for you!

Ready-to-Use Cyber-Safety Tips

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 17:46:39 GMT

Teaching students of all ages to be smart, safe, and kind online.

Recommended Usage: The Flyer Team recognizes that a major concern among the parents of school-aged children is how to teach appropriate behavior online, keep their children safe on their devices, and appropriately manage and monitor screen time. We’ve amassed a list of resources broken down by age group that we think would be beneficial for your families! These are designed to be able to copy and paste into a push notification (or edited as you see fit!), and the content can be linked directly using the supplied URL!

Click HERE to see this process at work!

ALL AGES:

Eager to be wiser about “screen time” and establish more opportunities to bond as a family in this digital age? TAP HERE for “6 Media Resolutions Every Family Should Make in 2018”:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/6-media-resolutions-every-family-should-make-in-2018

Source: Common Sense Media

Cyberbulling is a major issue among school-aged children, and one we as a community work hard to combat! TAP HERE to watch a 60-second video addressing how cyberbullying affects students, and access a comprehensive anti-cyberbullying toolkit, consisting of video resources (in English & Spanish!) for Teachers, Students, and Parents, including game-style instruction in digital citizenship!

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/cyberbullying-toolkit

Source: Common Sense Media

YOUNGER STUDENTS (Kindergarten-5th Grade)

(Kindergarten-3rd grade) You’ve spoken with your kids about how to be smart and safe in the “real world”, but you want to make sure they understand how to interact safely online as well. BrainPOP Jr.’s “Internet Safety” toolkit incorporates a short video for students to watch, plus a wealth of supplemental resources (quizzes, and games, and lesson plans, oh my!) to ensure that even kindergartners have an awesome foundation in internet safety! TAP HERE to access the video!

https://jr.brainpop.com/artsandtechnology/technology/internetsafety/

Source: BrainPOP Jr.

(2nd-5th graders) Want to teach your kids how to be safe and responsible explorers of the online world? “Be Internet Awesome” is a program that includes a fun and free web-based game called Interland and an educational curriculum to teach kids about digital citizenship and online safety. The initiative will provide students with five key lessons to help them better navigate: How to be internet SMART, how to be internet ALERT, how to be internet STRONG, how to be internet KING, and how to be internet BRAVE. TAP this message to check it out

https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/

Source: Google

OLDER STUDENTS (6th-12th Grades):

Cyberbulling is a major issue among teens and tweens, and one we as a community work hard to combat! WiredSafety is one of the pioneers in the field of cybersafety, and contains information about everything from digital citizenship, to how and where to get help if someone is a victim of cyberbullying or cyberabuse, with a distinct focus on teenagers. TAP HERE to read more!

http://www.wiredsafety.com/for-teens---protecting-yourself-online

Source: WiredSafety

Building Community During the Holidays

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:44:58 GMT

Extra H app iness.

Delivering resources is one of Flyer's main tenets to family engagement. We compiled three useful ways school use their Flyer School App to deliver resources that will help spread joy this Holiday Season. This content is great to be hosted in your resources tab, sent as push notifications, and displayed as banners!

TOYS & CLOTHING
The holidays can be an economically challenging time for many low-income families. Working together, we can make this time brighter for those families and their children.

Every winter, Slavens Elementary (Denver) continues a tradition of "adopting" families at a sister school nearby. As a community, they work to provide these families with both gifts as well as things that they need (like winter coats and shoes), using their app to host a sign up form for various Christmas items. The Slavens family is building community with their sister school, and in the process, reinforcing the true spirit of the holidays ( giving, gratitude, and solidarity ) with their children.

UTILITIES & HEALTH
As the temperatures are dropping, many families in our schools are growing increasingly more apprehensive about maintaining a warm, safe, and healthy home for their children.

LIHEAP helps identify local resources to help keep families in their homes, and maintain a healthy temperature indoors. Local Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) aim to help families permanently lower their utility bills by working to proactively make homes more energy efficient.

Socioeconomic factors greatly influence the volume of illness and disease, and prevent major barriers to vaccination efforts, especially during the winter flu season. Many low income families are juggling multiple jobs and cannot afford to take time off work to get vaccinated (or to stay home when they get sick). It is also common that low income and ELL families do not understand how to access flu shots, don't recognize the importance of getting a vaccine every year, or do not trust immunizations. Children are especially vulnerable.

Salida del Sol (Greeley) worked to make flu vaccinations seamless and accessible for their families. By partnering with a local health organization, they were able to host a Flu Shot Clinic right at their school, enabling their students to get vaccinated and thus mitigate the spread of disease for the entire community.

BOOKS & PODCASTS
Whether your families are settling in for the holidays at home, or packing your suitcases to visit loved ones, Christmas break is an incredible opportunity to expand horizons, encourage critical thinking, and foster strong engagement with reading.

Fontenelle Elementary (Omaha) has partnered with DIBS for Kids , which aims to put a book in the hands of new readers, every night, at home, for fun. Gust Elementary (Denver) has built in an entire tab in their app dedicated to reading, with a vast selection of books, including narration in 15 different languages!

We've compiled a list of some of our favorite e-books, audiobooks, and podcasts for children of all ages to excite young learners (and their parents! And the Flyer team!) during the holiday break.

CID 2017

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:02:19 GMT

Flyer School App selected as the Featured Speaker for the Education Track at CID's Social Venture Marketplace!

Press Release for CID's Social Venture Marketplace:

---

Flyer School App Named as CO Impact Days and Initiative Social Venture Finalist

Flyer’s Equity and Inclusion Platform to be a Featured Speaker at the Second Annual Marketplace for Impact Investing

DENVER, November 10, 2017 – CO Impact Days and Initiative announced the top 100 social ventures that have been invited to meet face to face with investors in order to seek millions of dollars of “impact investments” at CO Impact Days Social Venture Showcase on November 17, 2017. Flyer School App was chosen as one out of 150 applicants in a competitive process with over 138 judges from around the United States, and will be showcasing in the Education/Early Childhood Track at the event as the keynote speaker in that track!

The 100 ventures will convene on November 17 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex for the second year of this innovative, exciting, “shark-tank for good” statewide marketplace for impact investing. The chosen social ventures will have the opportunity to showcase their investment opportunities to offer not only a financial return on the impact investor's investment, but also to offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

“We are so thrilled to again invite over 200 investors and philanthropists to interact with these valuable social ventures. When these two groups of powerful move-makers share a room, there is no telling the good that will come. We’ve aimed to offer a diverse array of impact investments, with a goal that every investor attendee will leave knowing that deal flow is not a Colorado impact investing problem,” said Dr. Stephanie Gripne, Founder of the Impact Finance Center and creator of CO Impact Days and Initiative. “We’re excited to continue this effort and see even more fruitful collisions at this year’s marketplace.”

The goal of CO Impact Initiative is to catalyze $100 million in impact investments into Colorado social ventures in the next three years, and it is kicking off with CO Impact Days on November 15-17. CO Impact Days encourages a new breed of impact investors and community members to Learn. Connect. Invest.

“To be selected as a featured speaker in this field of incredible social ventures is truly an honor,” said Flyer CEO and Founder, Zuben Bastani. “We’ve worked hard over the past two and a half years to build a dynamic platform that brings equity and delivers social resources to schools and districts. To be able to present our brand new Flyer 2.0 solution at CID’s Social Venture Marketplace is an invaluable opportunity, and one for which we’re very grateful.”

CO Impact Days’ innovation is uniquely possible because Colorado is home to a number of national leaders in impact investing and a thriving and collaborative community of social venture entrepreneurs in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, plus philanthropists and investors who are committed to growing Colorado’s economy and creating good jobs while ensuring our state remains one of the best places to work, live and play in the U.S.

# # #

About CO Impact Days and Initiative

CO Impact Days is in the second year of its trail-blazing effort to create a statewide marketplace for impact investing; identifying, connecting, and celebrating Colorado's top social ventures and impact investors from the Western Slope to the Front Range. CO Impact Days’ brings together Colorado’s top 100 social ventures, 200 impact investors, and 500+ community members to Learn. Connect. Invest. For more information or tickets, visit www.coimpactdays.org or contact Kristin Giant at info@reachwellapp.com

CO Impact Initiative, created by the Impact Finance Center and led by Dr. Stephanie Gripne is a 3-year strategy to elevate and accelerate impact investing in Colorado, catalyzing the flow of $100 million in investment capital into Colorado social ventures that deliver positive impact on the state’s communities, economy and natural environment.

About Flyer

At Flyer, our mission is to increase student achievement among low-income and ELL families through better family engagement. Our vision is for all families, regardless of social or economic barriers, to be informed, participating, and connected with their schools and social resources. For schools and teachers, we envision a single unified platform to drive their communications, manage their logistics, and deliver resources that create a positive social impact. For more information, visit flyerschoolapp.com or contact info@reachwellapp.com

King-Murphy Climbs New Heights...By Reading!

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 19:51:29 GMT

When King-Murphy sat down to consider their fall fundraiser, they had two main objectives:

Motivate their community to contribute to a new STEM lab
Encourage their students to develop great and sustainable academic habits

After considering their options, which included a running race, they decided to hold a “Read-a-Thon”. “Our kids are mountain kids,” said KM PTA Co-President, Lisa Dulski. “They’re outside all the time, so we thought it was more important to encourage kids in an educational way.” A Read-a-Thon presents a perfect platform to encourage the practice of reading for fun. It allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and set the stage for students to (hopefully!) grow into lifelong readers.

The King-Murphy PTA collaborated with the Flyer team to build out their fundraiser entirely from scratch (these are incredibly dedicated and brave PTA members we’re talking about here!) using their King-Murphy app to host informational content, access reading logs, collect donations, and track progress, all in one place! “The app has been essential for us because it gave us the ability to communicate constantly with our families,” said Lisa. “The app as a whole has allowed us to get more families on board and streamline the collection process.”

In addition to the prizes offered to individual winners of the Read-a-Thon, KM worked hard to emphasize the the communal nature of the event, encouraging teachers to foster camaraderie and team spirit by creating their own classroom-level incentives tailored to their specific group of students (because nothing motivates young learners like the potential of a Pajama Party, am I right?!). The Read-a-Thon also allowed KM an opportunity to reach beyond the school community to engage friends, extended family, and neighbors. The inclusivity of the Read-a-Thon was also a huge benefit, allowing families and students to participate fully whether or not they were able to financially contribute, and since the students were reading at home, it offered parents the opportunity to reinforce those habits and engage with their children.

We’re incredibly impressed by the effort that King-Murphy put into creating a thorough, robust, and adaptable fundraising toolkit and love that reading was at the heart and soul of their event. Check out their app to see all of their resources, and congratulations to everyone who contributed to the Read-a-Thon!

Let Them Lead

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 18:09:05 GMT

Youth Develop & Implement Anti-bullying Solutions

This summer, Denver students created anti-bullying solutions during the 3rd annual Think Like a Genius Foundation Challenge. The challenge is over, but the solutions live on as the students implement them in their schools and community.

Think Like a Genius Foundation asks “young people to nd ways to solve community issues that affect children and youth.” The focus this year was bullying.

The challenge was created to help students learn about themselves and how to set goals. The foundation partners with other organizations which support youth struggling with the impact of pressures all around them—broken families, gangs, and violence. The foundation helps provide a supportive environment to students.

“Youth groups throughout the community are tasked with creating a model that solves a prob- lem, taking and integrating it into the community, and making it happen.” said Eric Siler, Think Like a Genius Foundation executive director. “All the youth teams come up with a solution that they have to implement and demonstrate sustainability. Just by coming to the challenge they use 21st century skills—critical thinking, collaboration, innovation, creativity and communication.”

The kids obtain help from mentors, but it’s minimal. Art Curtis, history teacher at KIPP Denver Collegiate, mentored a team from his school. “I was impressed with what a great plan the student team came up with, without much teacher coordinator input. The solution was 98% them.”

The KIPP Denver Collegiate team thought of creating an app that gave students an outlet to report bullying and an opportunity to talk to counselors or peers. The anti-bullying solution made a perfect t with the school’s existing Fly- er School App, which connects all fami- lies with relevant school information and resources.

“I felt kind of scared, we didn’t know how to develop the app and had a lot of questions,” said Arely, a student team member. She felt one of the biggest lessons she learned from the process was to reach out to adults and set up meetings. They sent Zuben Bastani, Flyer CEO, an email.

“I was thrilled to hear from the students,” said Zuben. I’m always looking for feedback to make the app more useful. The opportunity to work with these motivated, innovative students has been inspiring.”

The students chose the Flyer app as the means of communication since their community had al- ready embraced it. Families, teachers, administrators, and students use the app more often than other means such as social media, email, and phone for school communications.

“The challenge was a great way to spend my summer,” says Arely. “It helped me learn a lot of collaborative skills, I had to step up and work with a team. It was really fun.” She also learned from other teams who had an earlier start and were able to conduct more testing and get feed- back on their project.

In the next two weeks, the team will present the anti-bullying solution to the school at a town hall. Students will have access to the anti-bullying resources on their phone, complemented with options for in-person counselor sessions and peer group meetings. To make the solution sustainable, they plan to measure it’s success, learn as the school year progresses, and continue with ideas to improve it as they go. While the students look to create a sustainable anti-bullying solution, they’ll continue learning about themselves and how capable they really are.

About Flyer School Apps

Flyer is a team of parents, school leaders and young professionals on a social mission to increase student achievement through family engagement.

Flyer was created by the parent of elementary aged kids. Frustrated by the fragmented means of communica- tion by schools including yer-stu ed-backpacks, missed emails, auto-dialers, teachers’ notes, and inaccurate recounts by kindergartners, Zuben Bastani’s goal was to create a mobile app that is a one-stop-shop for school information and communication for every type of family regardless of their income or language.

Flyer has grown to serve traditional, charter and private PK-12 schools in both rural and urban areas across the US.

Flyer is a proud graduate of Unreasonable Institute 2016 Early Childhood Accelerator.

yerschoolapp.com info@ yerschoolapp.com 720-336-9663

Six Tips to Increase Registration

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:05:37 GMT

Registration season is upon us, and over the last few years we’ve seen little progress in how most schools approach registration. Even more challenged are those schools serving high risk or low income students because of families’ inability to be present and because of multiple languages. We wanted to share how some of our schools are improving the experience for their families, reducing time for their staff, and increasing enrollment results.

Registration Tips

#1 - Promote events online through the web, emails, school mobile app, social media, and local news to attract families to visit your school and see if it’s a good fit for them. The more communication channels, the more likely you’ll reach your target. Everyone has a preferred method of receiving notifications and news, and it may not be the traditional ones like the postal mail. Many families don’t have Internet access at home, and rely on their smartphones to stay in touch.

#2 - Keep families in the loop with upcoming deadlines and open houses. With those messages, introduce staff and teachers that families will meet during open houses.

#3 - Provide videos online for those who can’t attend the open house.

#4 - Streamline the registration process, allowing families to register from home. This method is especially helpful with high risk students. If there’s a fee with registration, simplify school payments using the web site or school app.

#5 - Send notifications to families about what to expect on the first day, where to go, what to bring, and to which teacher(s) their student has been assigned. The more families know, the more comfortable they’ll feel.

#6 - Follow up with partial registrations or students who enrolled last year but haven’t registered yet and move them along to the next step.

These steps help ensure that all families receive the information needed to successfully register their student.

Ideas for Curbing Summer Reading Loss

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:14:48 GMT

Summer learning loss is one of the most significant causes of the achievement gap between lower and higher income youth and one of the strongest contributors to the high school dropout rate, according to the National Summer Learning Association. Flyer's focus on access and equity led them to help Gust Elementary in Denver curb summer reading loss. Gust families can use their app to access dozens of Unite eBooks wherever they are. "I can send reminders to families and see they're accessing the eBooks," says Katie Harlfinger, Teacher Librarian/School Tech Rep. "All of our app push notifications are sent out in English and Spanish to help our English Language Learners." Families access the eBooks through the school app while they’re in waiting rooms, stuck in traffic, or wrapping up the end of the day at work. What’s more important is the books can read themselves to the family in several languages. Students can see the words in English, for example, and hear them in Spanish.

Increasing Volunteerism

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:01:22 GMT

Centennial Academy of Fine Arts of Littleton Public Schools communicates directly with families to increase and organize volunteers using Flyer. Parents receive volunteer requests, respond to them, and log their volunteer hours, all on their phones.

“I have used the Flyer School App in two different schools and it has made a great impact on our ability to communicate better with all families,” says Karla Gruenwald, Principal. “Our parent community has provided positive feedback on the app and loves getting real time communication via the app and push notifications.”

Increasing Office Efficiency

Wed, 24 May 2017 13:58:26 GMT

Improving Attendance and Lockdown Administration

When Sandoval Elementary strove to improve office efficiency and communication to parents, they turned to Flyer app push notifications.

Sandoval, a Denver Public School, posts messages regarding events, closures, and lockdowns to parents’ phones. Parents also quickly access the calendar and connect with teachers.

Attendance reporting has greatly improved at Sandoval. Before Flyer, parents called attendance voicemail. “We had trouble understanding a lot of the messages,” said Maria Alvarez, Sandoval Main Office Secretary. Now 75% parents send an email from their phone to attendance, improving accuracy and efficiency.

Lockdown communications also improved. Alvarez used to scramble to print post-lockdown notices and set up a robocall. If the robocall reached a parent’s voicemail it would only leave a partial message and parents called the office back for clarification. Now it’s an automated push notification. In one instance the lockdown occurred at the end of the day. Parents received the notification and stayed in their cars until the lockdown ended.

Whether it’s a daily update or a school emergency, Sandoval has improved communications with the Flyer app. “Parents love it,” said Alvarez, “because they have the information at their fingertips.”

Schools apps boost October Count Day

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

October is arguably one of the most important months this school year. The Colorado Department of Education designates an October date for each district the Official Pupil Count Date for 2016.

Several Flyer schools used their school apps to send push notifications to parents. Several schools used their app banners to promote their count day. Flyer schools who did use their apps reached their goals and some even qualified for additional funding!

Have a goal to meet this fall? Just send us a note or give us a call .

App simplifies registration at DDES

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Like many working mothers, Liz Wolfson is typically in a hurry, rushing to get her children ready for school and then heading off to work. The beginning of the school year is especially hectic. “I’m the busy mom who doesn’t complete her forms until the last minute,” she said.

One morning in August, she was dropping off her two children at the Downtown Denver Expeditionary School when she was reminded she hadn’t yet turned in registration forms.

“They handed me an iPad that had the school app downloaded on it,” she said. “I completed forms for two children and was on my way to work within 15 minutes.”
Wolfson downloaded the school’s app onto her phone. She simply tapped a few buttons on her phone and the app appeared.
“I was impressed that there were no lengthy logins or other prerequisites to use the app,” Wolfson said. She so impressed, in fact, that she plans to launch a mobile app at the Girls Athletic Leadership School in Denver, where she is the director.
Ashley Ennis, who works in the front office at the Downtown Denver Expeditionary School, said the mobile app has been hugely popular with families, citing ease and convenience as its best attributes. Parents receive text reminders, check lunch menus and access forms.

“It’s easy. It cuts down on time and paperwork. We love it,” Ennis said.

Strengthen connections through technology

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Throughout the country, school staff members are realizing how effective QR codes can be to reach out to parents and school communities. “It’s important to take advantage of any opportunity to connect with the family. Parent engagement is an important part of ensuring the success of students,” said Monica Burns, ClassTechTips.com blogger, and Curriculum and EdTech Consultant.
QR codes are one of the many features of our school apps. They are simple to implement and offer great information to schools. We have schools in Denver using them to gauge attendance at parent meetings and to award prizes for attendance.
“One of the reasons I’m so passionate about the integration of scannable technology is the opportunities it affords all stakeholders in the community,” Burns said. Read more from Burns.
Let’s talk about how to use a QR code at your school. Just send us a note or give us a call .

Denver's 5280 Magazine highlights Montclair's innovative app built by Flyer School App.

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

http://www.5280.com/news/education/digital/720-336-9663-winners-emerge-dps-imaginarium-design-challenge

"...through the design challenge, a smartphone app called Montclair Post was developed at Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment. The school has an average 50-plus languages mingling together, which makes communication with parents difficult. This app was designed to translate in real-time, breaking that barrier. Now the app is being rolled out in other schools."

4 Great Family Engagement Examples for Schools

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

1. Engagement without Passwords - DCIS at Fairmont

DCIS at Fairmont is a highly diverse school. Many families don't have home internet, consistent phone numbers / emails or speak fluent english. They do have smartphones.

To connect, their families simply download the free Fairmont app for their iOS or Android phone or tablet. No login, password or registration is required which increases usage and interaction.

Families are instantly connected to receive news, notifications and have access to school, PTO, district and extras tools in their native language!

2. Push Notification Subscriptions - Slavens K-8

Slavens K-8 Middle School yearbook sales are ending soon and only Middle School families need to receive these alerts.

Users set their notification settings to receive messages for their kid's grades. (Schools can create unlimited category options)
Slavens composes a short alert on their phone app (or web browser) and checks "Middle School".

Only Middle School families instantly receive the message that opens the order page on their phone. Users enter their credit card info and place their order!
Roughly 80% of users view these notifications.

3. Getting Parent Signatures - KIPP: Montbello College Prep

KIPP: Montbello College Prep uses their app ensure families are getting their message.

The front office sends a quick notification informing parents to sign their form.

Families open the alert that takes them to the form, they read the content, enter their info and sign with their finger in seconds.

Results are emailed and/or populate a spreadsheet for easy reporting. Beats printing, posting, stuffing, transcribing!
Works great for waivers and permission slips too.

4. Volunteer Hour Tracking - Lake International School

Lake International School allows families to volunteer to waive their activity fees.

Families earn one point per hour volunteered.
Front office adds points to their app based on the amount of time volunteered.

Families unlock their "reward" of free activity fees after they earn 5 points!

Schools can build in multiple rewards for activities such as attending literacy night = 2 points, Earn 10 points for parent parking spot for a month.

Flyer by Propel Mobile, LLC Named as CO Impact Days and Initiative Finalist to Participate in First-of-its-Kind $100 Million Marketplace for Impact Investing

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Denver, CO – CO Impact Days and Initiative announced today the 60 social ventures that are invited to meet face to face with investors in order to seek millions of dollars of “impact investments” at CO Impact Days Social Venture Showcase on March 4, 2016.

Flyer School App by Propel Mobile, LLC, a for-profit startup providing mobile school apps for families is among the finalists chosen from more than 280 applicants.

Flyer was selected to participate within the Education and Early Childhood track among twelve other social ventures. Flyer addresses the challenge schools have communicating with families. Flyer focuses on consistently and successfully reaching families through their smartphones and tablets which improves family engagement and thus, boosting student achievement in participating schools.

The 60 ventures will convene at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) for the first-of-its-kind, statewide marketplace for impact investing. The chosen social ventures will have the opportunity to showcase their ability to provide a return on the impact investor's investment while improving Colorado communities to more than 200 accredited investors.

The goal of CO Impact Initiative is to catalyze $100 million in impact investments into Colorado social ventures in the next three years, and it is kicking off with CO Impact Days on March 2-4. CO Impact Days encourages a new breed of impact investors and community members to Learn. Connect. Invest .
CO Impact Days’ innovation is uniquely possible here because Colorado is home to a number of national leaders in impact investing and a thriving and collaborative community of social venture entrepreneurs in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors, philanthropists, and investors who are committed to growing Colorado’s economy and creating good jobs while ensuring our state remains one of the best places to work, live, and play in the U.S.

# # #

About Flyer by Propel Mobile, LLC
Flyer was created by the parent of elementary aged kids. Frustrated by the fragmented means of communication by elementary schools including flyer-stuffed-backpacks, emails, auto-dialers, teachers notes, and inaccurate recounts by kindergartners, Zuben Bastani’s goal was to create a mobile app that is a one-stop-shop for school information and communication. With the touch of a button, parents have access to everything they need to know about their kids’ school day and school administrators can confidently communicate important information to families. Zuben’s vision extends further than convenience. Flyer is built to reach all families, regardless of income, neighborhood, or language. Flyer apps reach all families regardless of home internet access, email, consistent phone numbers or unreliable paper announcements. Flyer aims to streamline school and parent interaction, increase family engagement and ultimately benefit student achievement rates. For more information visit FlyerSchoolApp.com or contact Zuben at info@reachwellapp.com .

About CO Impact Days and Initiative
CO Impact Days is the first of its kind effort to create a statewide marketplace for impact investing; identifying, connecting, and celebrating Colorado's top social ventures and impact investors from the Western Slope to the Front Range. CO Impact Days’ will to bring together Colorado’s top 60 social ventures, 200 impact investors, and 500+ community members to Learn. Connect. Invest. For more information or tickets, visit www.coimpactdays.org or contact Molly at info@reachwellapp.com .

CO Impact Initiative, created by the Impact Finance Center and led by Dr. Stephanie Gripne and a steering committee of community leaders is a 3-year strategy to elevate and accelerate impact investing in Colorado, catalyzing the flow of $100 million in investment capital into Colorado social ventures that deliver positive impact on the state’s communities, economy and natural environment.

It's getting personal

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

As a parent, my email is bombarded with every possible activity in and outside of school. The most urgent information is mixed in with general "FYI" info. Do I miss things? You bet.
Schools I consult typically use email lists (classroom, grade, activities, etc.). However, read rates are low and these get lost among the 100+ other emails. Also, our schools are always challenged maintaining accurate lists.

To break through we need to:

1. Deliver a message that matters to them right now.
2. Reach them where they're looking

Private classroom sites, private social media sites and e-mail lists are all good tools to convey a message. However, a School's App is the only tool that also reaches them on their phone regardless of their language or income. Smartphones are how parents prefer to communicate and access information.

Flyer's school apps are tailored to the school and the parent. Parents can receive all messages or select specific categories that apply.

2nd grade field trip update? Just tag the message for 2nd grade and only those subscribed families will receive that message.
Lock Out Alert? Snow Day? Simply select all and notify all families immediate on their phones.

Messages that are parent specific are more likely to be viewed and responded to. Alternatively, continuing to blast parents with irrelevant information only leads to unsubscribes or the trash or junk folder.

Welcome New October Schools

Engaged families have higher achieving students. Propel’s School Apps increase engagement reaching students and families on their phones. District, School, Classroom and PTA information is finally in one accessible place.

We take it personally. Our widespread adoption and usage rates is the result of a highly tailored experience. Families and staff only receive messages that apply to them. Content is specific to their interest and needs. Parents view info in their native language and respond in seconds from their mobile device.

Each school is different, so is your app. Contact us to view a short demo and learn how our effective yet affordable solution delivers results in four weeks.

Reach parents how they want to be reached

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Numbers don't lie, apps are how parents want to be reached. Within 2-3 weeks, our schools are reaching about 50% of their parents on their app regularly and those numbers keep growing.
Our secret? A highly customized experience for the parent that simplifies their lives and makes their child's experience richer. This personal connection allows school leaders to message their families with the confidence their message is being received.

Flyer's school apps are ready within 4 weeks, affordable for every school and do not require additional effort from you or your staff. In fact, they reduce front office and communication tasks. We'd like the opportunity to present a demo for your school and share how a customized app will lift your community.

Customer Spotlight: Montclair School for Academics and Enrichment

Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment was challenged reaching all their families regardless of their income or native language. Approximately 22 languages are spoken among their richly diverse community. Montclair understood the smartphone is becoming the primary tool parents use to access the web (especially among low-income and non-white families).

Working with Flyer School App, the team developed and released an innovative mobile app in 4 weeks.The app serves as the hub for district, school and PTO information. Through seamless translation features families access school news, lunch schedules, sign up forms and more in their native language through a single button on their phone.

When an urgent reminder or alert must be distributed, school leaders easily tap their management app to securely schedule or send a push notification to families. The user is directed to a translated news page, website, survey, signup form, etc. Montclair gets instant responses, parents love the simplicity. Within only two weeks of launching, 229 parents are already using the app regularly.

Simplify Communications, Increase Reach

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT

With so many options: Social Media, E-Mail, Websites, Blogs, Text Messages, Robocalls, Apps, flyers... Where to Begin!?

With so many options: Social Media, E-Mail, Websites, Blogs, Text Messages, Robocalls, Apps, flyers... Where to Begin!?

Start by asking yourself three simple questions.

A. "Am I reaching families where they're looking?"
Look at parents 1 minutes after drop-off and 1 minute before pickup Where are they looking? Their phones.

B. "Is my content where they'll see it and is it easy to reference?"
This is possibly the most difficult as some prefer e-mail, others, twitter, etc. however, everyone prefers apps.

C. "Is it confusing?"
Many schools over-communicate; important information is overlooked and school resources are wasted. We can reach a greater audience with less effort. The best way to explain is a real example, take Ashley Elementary in Denver, CO.

Before
1. Newsletter is created in MS Word, and sent to translators. Finished copy saved as PDFs
2. Staff prints and stuffs 500+ print outs (per language) into folders for ~3 hours
3. An e-mail is crafted with attachments and delivered to 50% of the families due to bounces or bad addresses
4. PDF's are uploaded to the website with the assistance of the Tech Liaison
5. Admin creates Facebook post and a Twitter post to direct parents to the "Thursday Folder" link on the website.

Result: Lots of effort with average results.
25% - 30% of the e-mails are opened
10% - 15% of the social media posts are seen

After - Ashley Elementary Mobile App
1. E-mail drafted in English and sent to the App News Page. Subject line becomes the News Article Title and the email body and attachments become the News Article.

2. Admin sends a short Push Notification from their phone in seconds announcing "Updated News" to families. The app opens to the News Page in their native language.
4. School Website, Facebook and Twitter update auto-magically!

Result: Very little effort with excellent results

Within 3-4 weeks of launch >50% of parents use the app 3-4 times per week
Reach your most isolated families as phones are how low-income and non-white parents access the web
Schools are saving dozens of hours weekly and thousands of dollars on paper.
Parents prefer it.

Feature Spotlight: Sandoval's App Store
Sandoval Elementary released the Sandoval e-Store in their app to sell Fall Festival tickets.

Families buy in seconds via credit card or PayPal on their phone. Payments are deposited into their Paypal Account and their PTSA receives and e-mail notification. Families receive an emailed receipt (for tax purposes) with Check-In instructions.

"Enabling mobile e-commerce solution is saving us tons of effort and growing our sales. This is a far better solution than anything we could find online and it's included with our app!"
All the best and don't forget, Keep It Simple!

4 Innovative Tools To Transform Your School With A Custom App

zuben@reachwellapp.com (Zuben Bastani) — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

In the tech driven world we live in today, it is shocking how many schools still lack a means of mobile communication. Almost every industry is stocked with mobile solutions and apps, but in education they're rare. This is about to change. Your students and their parents have smartphones, as do you and your faculty. Why aren’t you putting them to use?

A mobile app for your educational institution will make the lives of your families and faculty easier. Streamlining every day processes lattendance taking, parent/student notifications, reward system management, and much more, you can turn a typical school into an innovative tech savvy institution.

Push Notifications
•Implement an easy to use system for notifying students, parents, and faculty
•Manage your notifications across iOS, Android, Facebook, and Twitter
•Target specific groups of users based on the notification
•Provide users with easy updates and important information instantly
•Develop a reliable notification system

Reward System
•Implement a mobile system to reward families for activities such as attendance
•Manage your students’ reward activity via your mobile device
•Develop different levels of perks to better reward your most improved students
•Provide families and students with incentives to participate
•Increase student attendance and decrease attendance conflicts

Mobile Scheduling
•Implement a scheduling system for events such as parent teacher conferences
•Manage appointments with a beautiful built-in calendar
•Receive notifications via email when appointments are scheduled
•Provide parents with easy appointment management
•Book more meetings and increase show up rates

Custom Forms
•Implement custom forms to gather pertinent information
•Manage mobile submissions via email
•Receive requested information from students, parents, faculty, etc
•Provide a simple process for gathering information
•Build rapport with students, parents, and faculty

These are just a few ideas to move your school into a more productive organization. Contact us to learn how we can tailor an app to work best for your school.