Getting Started
Getting Started: Program Admin
You control which features are available to your agency, who can reach whom, and how your users are organized. Here's what to configure first and how to keep the program running well.
What you control as a Program Admin
Program Admins set the rules for the entire agency. Your settings determine what your users can do, who they can reach, and how the platform performs for your organization.
- Enable or disable features for your agency — control what your users see and can do
- Set your agency's jurisdiction — the geographic and agency scope your users operate within
- Review leads reporting data — see how many bulletins generated leads and track APBnet's effectiveness for your agency
- Access the Analytics dashboard and reports — bulletin volume, response rates, and engagement over time
- Serve as the escalation point for access and permission questions your User Admin can't resolve
First things to do after logging in
These five steps get your agency configured correctly before your users start sending bulletins.
- 1
Review and configure feature access
Click your name in the upper right, select Admin, and open the feature access panel. You'll see every feature available to your agency and whether it's currently on or off. Decide what to enable before your users log in — changes take effect immediately and your users will see them the next time they open the app.
- 2
Confirm your jurisdiction
Jurisdiction controls how authors send bulletins to your users. Review the current jurisdiction settings and confirm they match your agency's actual operational area.
- 3
Open the Analytics dashboard
Go to Analytics > Dashboard in the main navigation. Even if your agency is just getting started, familiarize yourself with the metrics available — bulletin volume, response rates, leads generated. This is where you'll track whether APBnet is working as intended for your agency over time.
- 4
Set expectations with your Creators about leads reporting
Seven days after a Creator sends a bulletin, APBnet asks one question: did it generate a lead? The answer is yes, no, or pending. Creators can also respond at any time from their Sent folder. This data feeds your Analytics reports and tells you how effectively the platform is working. It only works if Creators know it's expected — communicate that during onboarding.
Screenshot pending
getting-started/program-admin-feature-panel.pngProgram Admin feature access panel — list of features with on/off toggles
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Essential how-to guides
These guides cover the tasks you'll return to most often.
Controlling Feature Access
Turn features on or off for your entire agency — and understand what each setting affects for your users.
Read the guide →
Map-Based Distribution Selection
Understand how Creators select distribution areas so you can train and support them effectively.
Read the guide →
Understanding Your Inbox
Learn the five inbox tabs — Received, Sent, Saved, Messages, and Feed — and how they work together.
Read the guide →
Tips for Program Admins
Configure features before your users log in for the first time
Feature settings take effect immediately. If you turn a feature on after users have already formed habits, you'll need to re-communicate it. Review the feature access panel during setup — not after rollout.
Leads reporting only works if Creators know it's expected
Seven days after sending a bulletin, APBnet asks the author whether it generated a lead. The data is only useful if authors respond. Set the expectation during training: answering the lead prompt is part of the job, not optional.
Check the dashboard monthly — not just when something goes wrong
The Analytics dashboard shows bulletin volume, response rates, and leads over time. A monthly review tells you whether APBnet is being used as intended and where you may need to re-train or re-engage specific users.
Where to get help
For questions about feature settings, jurisdiction, or analytics, use the support form in the Admin tab. The Critical Reach team can also adjust jurisdiction boundaries and agency relationships that aren't configurable from within the app.