For providers
Provider Quick Start
How to update your listing
The secure link is the full update. About 15 seconds.
- Open the private update link from your listing-active email. No password.
- Choose today's capacity: Available, Limited, Full, or Closed Today.
- Save access rules or a short public note only if they changed, then save.
Transcript
Open the secure link from your listing-active email. Choose Available, Limited, Full, or Closed Today. Save access rules and a short public note only if people need them. Then save.
How to update by text, email, or link
Three methods. You only need the one HelpSignal set up with you.
- Secure link: open the private URL from email. Use this for access rules and notes.
- Text: from an approved number, send AVAILABLE, LIMITED, FULL, or CLOSED.
- Email: if reply-by-email is on, reply with a status word. If the reply does not update the listing, use the link.
Transcript
Use the secure link, text a status word from an approved number, or reply to an update email. Do not forward your private link.
How reminders work
Reminders only go to destinations that recorded consent and are not suppressed.
- Email: one reminder per listing per Mountain Time day, with your secure link.
- Text: default 8 AM Mountain Time. Other schedules: morning and evening, business hours 3×, every 2 hours, or every 4 hours.
- Stop texts with STOP or REMIND OFF. Change texts with REMIND MORNING, REMIND BUSINESS, REMIND 2H, or REMIND 4H. Stop emails by replying to the reminder or writing info@helpsignal.org.
Transcript
Email reminders go once per listing per Mountain Time day. Text reminders default to 8 AM Mountain Time. Reply STOP to opt out of texts.
Add HelpSignal to your Home Screen
This is a shortcut to the website. It is not an App Store or Google Play download.
- iPhone: open this page in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.
- Android: open this page in Chrome, tap the menu, then Add to Home screen.
- Tap the new icon next time instead of searching old email.
Transcript
Add a website shortcut from Safari or Chrome. This is not an app download.
What you can update
Capacity is today's availability. Access rules are how someone gets in. They are saved separately.
- Available: you can serve people today.
- Limited: some capacity remains; people should expect a wait or a cutoff.
- Full: you cannot take more people today.
- Closed Today: you are not serving today.
- Walk-in, Call first, Appointment, Referral, and ID requirements: on the secure-link page.
- Important service changes: a short public note. Do not put client names in it.
HelpSignal also shows “Not Updated Today” on its own when a provider status is no longer recent. You never choose that label.
Authorized updaters
A listing can already have more than one updater. Each authorized person gets their own secure link.
- On signup, name a primary contact and up to two additional authorized updaters. When the listing goes live, each of those emails receives the listing-active message with their own update link.
- Who is allowed to update: anyone named on that signup, plus anyone later given an active secure link, approved text number, or update email for the listing.
- To add or remove someone after the listing is live, use the Authorized updaters section on the signed-in provider dashboard, or call or text 719-651-1303 or email info@helpsignal.org. Do not forward a private link. When staff leave, turn their access off.
Need help?
Cecilia Santiago, Founder, HelpSignal. Call or text 719-651-1303 · info@helpsignal.org
Later additions, when they belong on this page: change reminder preferences here, resend secure update access, a longer provider FAQ, and Spanish provider instructions if needed. Adding more than one updater already works on signup.