> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.goguardian.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tips and Resources

> Guidance for preparing school staff and parents and guardians before enabling GoGuardian Beacon Guardian Notifications.

Preparing staff and families before enabling GoGuardian Beacon Guardian Notifications reduces confusion and supports a coordinated response when alerts are generated.

## Prepare Your School for Guardian Notifications

GoGuardian Beacon includes a Guardian Notifications feature that schools and districts can enable after school hours. When enabled, Beacon sends email notifications to parents and guardians when an alert is generated.

Before enabling Guardian Notifications:

* Review the Guardian Notifications configuration article for setup instructions.
* Confirm that guardian contact information is uploaded and linked to students in the **Guardians** tab.
* Train all staff who may receive questions from families about Beacon notifications.

## Prepare Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians who receive a Beacon notification need context to respond appropriately. Before enabling Guardian Notifications, ensure parents and guardians:

* Know how to update your school or district with changes to contact information or educational rights
* Know their relationship to the student and who to contact at the school
* Understand that a notification indicates a concern that school staff are already aware of and are addressing
* Know where to find additional resources if they or their student need support

<Note>
  Prepare parents and guardians before you enable Guardian Notifications for the first time. Regularly remind existing families and provide this information to new families of transferred students.
</Note>

## Educate Families About Suicide Prevention

Providing parents and guardians with suicide prevention education strengthens your school's broader safety program. The following resources support parent and guardian training on identifying warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors:

* [AFSP More Than Sad Training](https://www.afsp.org/morethansad) — Training for parents on youth suicide prevention
* [Model School District Policy for Suicide Prevention](https://assets.ctfassets.net/h21wlbfg9e09/4VDOxwz2bSqwmkUWEwEK0C/49559098e1b46d51c3a0f6b054ed8d6d/Model_School_Policy.pdf) — Includes a section on parental notification and involvement
* [GoGuardian Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention Resource Page](https://www.goguardian.com/suicide-self-harm-resources.html) — Additional resources for schools and families

<Warning>
  Beacon is one part of a student safety plan. Designated school staff are the decision-makers for every alert. Beacon notifications do not replace direct staff response.
</Warning>

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="About GoGuardian Beacon" href="/products/beacon/about-beacon">
    Overview of Beacon and how schools use it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Initial Setup Checklist" href="/products/beacon/initial-setup-checklist">
    Complete setup steps for Beacon Starter, including the optional Guardians step.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How Beacon Works" href="/products/beacon/how-beacon-works">
    Review the detection process and alert contents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Beacon Glossary" href="/products/beacon/beacon-glossary">
    Definitions for key Beacon terms.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>