diff --git a/corehq/apps/commtrack/sms.py b/corehq/apps/commtrack/sms.py
index ee08aa11140a..136dcacf8302 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/commtrack/sms.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/commtrack/sms.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.domain.models import Domain
 from corehq.apps.products.models import SQLProduct
 from corehq.apps.receiverwrapper.util import submit_form_locally
-from corehq.apps.sms.api import MessageMetadata, send_sms_to_verified_number
+from corehq.apps.sms.api import MessageMetadata, send_message_to_verified_number
 from corehq.apps.users.models import CouchUser
 from corehq.form_processor.interfaces.supply import SupplyInterface
 from corehq.form_processor.parsers.ledgers.helpers import (
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def handle(verified_contact, text, msg):
     except Exception as e:
         if settings.UNIT_TESTING or settings.DEBUG:
             raise
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_contact, 'problem with stock report: %s' % str(e))
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_contact, 'problem with stock report: %s' % str(e))
         return True
 
     process(domain_obj.name, data)
@@ -372,4 +372,4 @@ def summarize_action(action, txs):
         ' '.join(sorted(summarize_action(a, txs) for a, txs in tx_by_action.items()))
     )
 
-    send_sms_to_verified_number(v, msg, metadata=metadata)
+    send_message_to_verified_number(v, msg, metadata=metadata)
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/filters.py b/corehq/apps/sms/filters.py
index c681f8babd44..b83e134e7797 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/filters.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/filters.py
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ def options(self):
             (MessagingEvent.CONTENT_SMS_CALLBACK, gettext_noop('SMS Callback')),
             (MessagingEvent.CONTENT_SMS, gettext_noop('Other SMS')),
             (MessagingEvent.CONTENT_EMAIL, gettext_noop('Email')),
+            (MessagingEvent.CONTENT_CONNECT, gettext_noop('Connect Message')),
         ]
 
 
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/fallback.py b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/fallback.py
index fc6413c0f624..01ad318199ce 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/fallback.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/fallback.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.sms.api import (
     MessageMetadata,
     add_msg_tags,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.models import WORKFLOW_DEFAULT, MessagingEvent
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def fallback_handler(verified_number, text, msg):
         outbound_meta = MessageMetadata(workflow=WORKFLOW_DEFAULT,
             location_id=msg.location_id,
             messaging_subevent_id=outbound_subevent.pk)
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, domain_obj.default_sms_response,
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, domain_obj.default_sms_response,
                                     metadata=outbound_meta)
         outbound_subevent.completed()
 
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/form_session.py b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/form_session.py
index 931f859ba51f..fd664ec5a878 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/form_session.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/form_session.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     MessageMetadata,
     add_msg_tags,
     log_sms_exception,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.messages import (
     MSG_CHOICE_OUT_OF_RANGE,
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def form_session_handler(verified_number, text, msg):
                         "message_id": msg.couch_id
                     })
                     session.mark_completed(False)  # this will also release the channel
-                    send_sms_to_verified_number(
+                    send_message_to_verified_number(
                         verified_number, get_message(MSG_GENERIC_ERROR, verified_number)
                     )
                     return True
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def form_session_handler(verified_number, text, msg):
                 verified_number.domain, verified_number.owner_id
             )
             if multiple:
-                send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, get_message(MSG_GENERIC_ERROR, verified_number))
+                send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, get_message(MSG_GENERIC_ERROR, verified_number))
                 return True
 
         if session:
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def form_session_handler(verified_number, text, msg):
             except Exception:
                 # Catch any touchforms errors
                 log_sms_exception(msg)
-                send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, get_message(MSG_TOUCHFORMS_DOWN, verified_number))
+                send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, get_message(MSG_TOUCHFORMS_DOWN, verified_number))
             return True
         else:
             return False
@@ -152,12 +152,12 @@ def answer_next_question(verified_number, text, msg, session, subevent_id):
         events = get_events_from_responses(responses)
         if len(text_responses) > 0:
             response_text = format_message_list(text_responses)
-            send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, response_text,
+            send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, response_text,
                                         metadata=outbound_metadata, events=events)
     else:
         mark_as_invalid_response(msg)
         response_text = "%s %s" % (error_msg, event.text_prompt)
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, response_text,
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, response_text,
                                     metadata=outbound_metadata, events=[event])
 
 
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/keyword.py b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/keyword.py
index 595135ea3944..5e3c41f45614 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/keyword.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/handlers/keyword.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.sms.api import (
     MessageMetadata,
     add_msg_tags,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.handlers.form_session import validate_answer
 from corehq.apps.sms.messages import (
@@ -107,10 +107,10 @@ def global_keyword_start(verified_number, text, msg, text_words, open_sessions):
             process_survey_keyword_actions(verified_number, k, text[6:].strip(), msg)
         else:
             message = get_message(MSG_KEYWORD_NOT_FOUND, verified_number, (keyword,))
-            send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, message, metadata=outbound_metadata)
+            send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, message, metadata=outbound_metadata)
     else:
         message = get_message(MSG_START_KEYWORD_USAGE, verified_number, (text_words[0],))
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, message, metadata=outbound_metadata)
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, message, metadata=outbound_metadata)
     return True
 
 
@@ -130,14 +130,14 @@ def global_keyword_current(verified_number, text, msg, text_words, open_sessions
 
         resp = FormplayerInterface(session.session_id, verified_number.domain).current_question()
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, resp.event.text_prompt,
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, resp.event.text_prompt,
                                     metadata=outbound_metadata, events=[resp.event])
     return True
 
 
 def global_keyword_unknown(verified_number, text, msg, text_words, open_sessions):
     message = get_message(MSG_UNKNOWN_GLOBAL_KEYWORD, verified_number, (text_words[0],))
-    send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, message)
+    send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, message)
     return True
 
 
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ def clean_up_and_send_response(msg, contact, session, error_occurred, error_msg,
                 contact.doc_type, contact.get_id)
             metadata.messaging_subevent_id = response_subevent.pk
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, error_msg, metadata=metadata)
+        send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, error_msg, metadata=metadata)
         if response_subevent:
             response_subevent.completed()
 
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ def send_keyword_response(vn, message_id, logged_event):
         messaging_subevent_id=subevent.pk,
     )
     message = get_message(message_id, vn)
-    send_sms_to_verified_number(vn, message, metadata=metadata)
+    send_message_to_verified_number(vn, message, metadata=metadata)
     subevent.completed()
 
 
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/opt_tests.py b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/opt_tests.py
index f1c6855a9afa..fd4482348ff3 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/opt_tests.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/opt_tests.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.domain.models import Domain
 from corehq.messaging.pillow import get_case_messaging_sync_pillow
 from corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models import SQLTestSMSBackend
-from corehq.apps.sms.api import incoming, send_sms_to_verified_number
+from corehq.apps.sms.api import incoming, send_message_to_verified_number
 from corehq.apps.sms.messages import MSG_OPTED_IN, MSG_OPTED_OUT, get_message
 from corehq.apps.sms.models import SMS, PhoneBlacklist, PhoneNumber, SQLMobileBackendMapping, SQLMobileBackend
 from corehq.apps.sms.tests.util import (
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def test_sending_to_opted_out_number(self):
         v = PhoneNumber.get_two_way_number('99912345678')
         self.assertIsNotNone(v)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+99912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def test_sending_to_opted_out_number(self):
         phone_number = PhoneBlacklist.objects.get(phone_number='99912345678')
         self.assertFalse(phone_number.send_sms)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+99912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def test_sending_to_opted_out_number(self):
         phone_number = PhoneBlacklist.objects.get(phone_number='99912345678')
         self.assertTrue(phone_number.send_sms)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+99912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def test_custom_opt_keywords(self):
         v = PhoneNumber.get_two_way_number('19912345678')
         self.assertIsNotNone(v)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+19912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def test_custom_opt_keywords(self):
         phone_number = PhoneBlacklist.objects.get(phone_number='19912345678')
         self.assertFalse(phone_number.send_sms)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+19912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def test_custom_opt_keywords(self):
         phone_number = PhoneBlacklist.objects.get(phone_number='19912345678')
         self.assertTrue(phone_number.send_sms)
 
-        send_sms_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
+        send_message_to_verified_number(v, 'hello')
         sms = self.get_last_sms('+19912345678')
         self.assertEqual(sms.direction, 'O')
         self.assertEqual(sms.text, 'hello')
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_backends.py b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_backends.py
index 8665c5b42f67..94a5a696ed49 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_backends.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_backends.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.hqcase.utils import update_case
 from corehq.apps.sms.api import (
     send_sms,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
     send_sms_with_backend,
     send_sms_with_backend_name,
 )
@@ -812,7 +812,7 @@ def __test_verified_number_with_map(self, contact):
             'corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models.SQLTestSMSBackend.send',
             autospec=True
         ) as mock_send:
-            self.assertTrue(send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for BACKEND2'))
+            self.assertTrue(send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for BACKEND2'))
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_args[0][0].pk, self.backend2.pk)
 
@@ -823,7 +823,7 @@ def __test_verified_number_with_map(self, contact):
             'corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models.SQLTestSMSBackend.send',
             autospec=True
         ) as mock_send:
-            self.assertTrue(send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for BACKEND5'))
+            self.assertTrue(send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for BACKEND5'))
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_args[0][0].pk, self.backend5.pk)
 
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ def __test_contact_level_backend(self, contact):
             'corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models.SQLTestSMSBackend.send',
             autospec=True
         ) as mock_send:
-            self.assertTrue(send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for domain BACKEND'))
+            self.assertTrue(send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for domain BACKEND'))
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_args[0][0].pk, self.backend8.pk)
 
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ def __test_contact_level_backend(self, contact):
             'corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models.SQLTestSMSBackend.send',
             autospec=True
         ) as mock_send:
-            self.assertTrue(send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for shared domain BACKEND'))
+            self.assertTrue(send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for shared domain BACKEND'))
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_args[0][0].pk, self.backend9.pk)
 
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ def __test_contact_level_backend(self, contact):
             'corehq.messaging.smsbackends.test.models.SQLTestSMSBackend.send',
             autospec=True
         ) as mock_send:
-            self.assertTrue(send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for global BACKEND'))
+            self.assertTrue(send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for global BACKEND'))
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(mock_send.call_args[0][0].pk, self.backend10.pk)
 
@@ -874,7 +874,7 @@ def __test_contact_level_backend(self, contact):
         self.backend10.save()
 
         with self.assertRaises(BadSMSConfigException):
-            send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for unknown BACKEND')
+            send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, 'Test for unknown BACKEND')
 
     def __test_send_sms_with_backend(self):
         with patch(
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_form_session_handler.py b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_form_session_handler.py
index 565f698b3878..7b6ac72dce5b 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_form_session_handler.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/tests/test_form_session_handler.py
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def test_incoming_sms_linked_form_session__session_contact_matches_incoming(self
         self.assertEqual(session_info.session_id, session.session_id)
 
     @patch('corehq.apps.sms.handlers.form_session.answer_next_question', MagicMock(return_value=None))
-    @patch('corehq.apps.sms.handlers.form_session.send_sms_to_verified_number', MagicMock(return_value=None))
+    @patch('corehq.apps.sms.handlers.form_session.send_message_to_verified_number', MagicMock(return_value=None))
     def test_incoming_sms_linked_form_session__session_contact_different_from_incoming(self):
         session = self._make_session(self.number2)
         self._claim_channel(session)
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/verify.py b/corehq/apps/sms/verify.py
index 03138035c3bf..dbce5cb74936 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/verify.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/verify.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.sms.api import (
     MessageMetadata,
     send_sms,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.mixin import PhoneNumberInUseException, apply_leniency
 from corehq.apps.sms.models import (
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def process_verification(verified_number, msg, verification_keywords=None, creat
         messages.MSG_VERIFICATION_SUCCESSFUL,
         verified_number=verified_number
     )
-    send_sms_to_verified_number(verified_number, message,
+    send_message_to_verified_number(verified_number, message,
                                 metadata=MessageMetadata(messaging_subevent_id=subevent.pk))
     subevent.completed()
     return True
diff --git a/corehq/apps/sms/views.py b/corehq/apps/sms/views.py
index f516c7d9f4c8..6af63867e372 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/sms/views.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/sms/views.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
     get_inbound_phone_entry,
     incoming,
     send_sms,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
     send_sms_with_backend_name,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.forms import (
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ def api_send_sms(request, domain):
         if backend_id is not None:
             success = send_sms_with_backend_name(domain, phone_number, text, backend_id, metadata)
         elif vn is not None:
-            success = send_sms_to_verified_number(vn, text, metadata)
+            success = send_message_to_verified_number(vn, text, metadata)
         else:
             success = send_sms(domain, None, phone_number, text, metadata)
 
diff --git a/corehq/apps/smsforms/tasks.py b/corehq/apps/smsforms/tasks.py
index c700b1766740..9be78d01daab 100644
--- a/corehq/apps/smsforms/tasks.py
+++ b/corehq/apps/smsforms/tasks.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 from corehq.apps.sms.api import (
     MessageMetadata,
     send_sms,
-    send_sms_to_verified_number,
+    send_message_to_verified_number,
 )
 from corehq.apps.sms.models import PhoneNumber
 from corehq.apps.sms.util import format_message_list
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def send_first_message(domain, recipient, phone_entry_or_number, session, respon
         )
 
         if isinstance(phone_entry_or_number, PhoneNumber):
-            send_sms_to_verified_number(
+            send_message_to_verified_number(
                 phone_entry_or_number,
                 message,
                 metadata,
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def handle_due_survey_action(domain, contact_id, session_id):
                     messaging_subevent_id=subevent.pk if subevent else None
                 )
                 resp = FormplayerInterface(session.session_id, domain).current_question()
-                send_sms_to_verified_number(
+                send_message_to_verified_number(
                     p,
                     resp.event.text_prompt,
                     metadata,