How do I ensure I will receive my notifications when DO NOT DISTURB is always on?

Hello californiasunflower,

You can change this within the Focus settings, by allowing certain people and/or apps to "break through" do not disturb.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap on Focus
3. Tap on Do Not Disturb

From here, you can select people (Contacts) and apps that will ignore Do Not Disturb and notify you.

I hope this helps!

Well, you can turn Do Not Disturb off in the Control Center.