Data Storytelling: How CBOs Can Share Their Impact

The strength of community-based organizations (CBOs) is knowing and engaging with their own stories and that of their communities to make a difference. Building on previous Elevate CBOs webinars, this four-part series, led by Carlos Morales of Viva Technology will focus on providing the context and tools necessary for behavioral health organizations to convey their impact and move their work to the next level through data storytelling. Though registrants can choose which sessions to attend, we highly recommend you attend all sessions. Registration for the limited-capacity Post-Workshop Q&A Hour will be released after each session.

Through this Elevate CBOs workshop series, attendees will:

• Understand the importance of data storytelling for behavioral health equity work 
• Identify data, stories, and visuals that are optimal for conveying their organizations’ work and impact 
• Learn how to make data, narratives, and visuals that are interesting and palatable to their audiences 
• Gain the tools necessary to market themselves to funders, community members, and other partners

This series is a continuation of the Elevate CBOs Webinar Series, an overarching policy-driven initiative from SAMHSA’s Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) that began in 2021.  

If you haven’t registered for the series, please register here!

Session 1 — Data Storytelling 101: Laying the Groundwork for CBO Impact

Access the Recording and Materials:

• View the recording
  • Download the transcript
• View the slides from the webinar
• Watch the recording of the Post-Workshop Q&A session
• Read the session 1 FAQ sheet

Resources:

• Best Practices for Ethics and Equitable Data Storytelling
• Identifying, Understanding, Segmenting Audiences, & Tailoring Messages Guide
  • Mindful Horizons – Identifying, Understanding, Segmenting Audiences
• Data Storytelling Worksheet for CBOs
  • Case Study Harmony Mental Wellness Center Latino Youth
  • Case Study Harmony Wellness Center African American Youth
• Crafting Your Narrative – Strategies for Impactful Storytelling Guide
  • Crafting Your Narrative – Community Voices for Youth
  • Crafting Your Narrative – Bridge of Hope Community Support

Session 2 — From Numbers to Visuals: Unleashing the Power of Data to Create Narratives for CBO Impact

Access the Recording and Materials:

• View the recording
  • Download the transcript
• View the slides from the webinar
• Watch the recording of the Post-Workshop Q&A session
• Read the session 2 FAQ sheet

Resources:

• Data Visualization Design Process Guide
• Color for Clarity and Inclusion – Best Practices for Behavioral Health Data Visualization
• Case Study: Family Guide Center — Visualizing Mental Health Service Impact
• CBO Examples:
  • Virginia Community Voice
    • RVA Thrives Video
    • Download the Community Voice Blueprint for community engagement
  • Institute for Public Strategies
    • Alcohol Vulnerability Index interactive map
    • ArcGIS interactive map tool
    • Opportunity Index

Session 3 — Beyond the Numbers and Visuals: Building Your CBO Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategy

Access the Recording and Materials:

• View the recording
  • Download the transcript
• View the slides from the webinar
• Watch the recording of the Post-Workshop Q&A session
• Read the session 3 FAQ sheet

Resources:

• Social Media Strategy Template for Behavioral Health CBOs
  • MindWell’s Data Storytelling Social Media Marketing Strategy
• Content Creation Strategies for CBOs Data Storytelling
• Creating Effective Social Media Posts
• Building Your Behavioral Health CBO Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategy
• Best Practices for Responding to Comments on Social Media
• SAMHSA Storytelling Guide
• Build Your Own App

Session 4 — From Impact to Investment: Leveraging Your CBO’s Story for Funding, Impact, & Internal Growth

Access the Recording and Materials:

• View the recording
  • Download the transcript
• View the slides from the webinar
• Watch the recording of the Post-Workshop Q&A session
• Read the session 4 FAQ sheet

Resources:

• Prevention Pluss Wellness Sample Grant Proposal
• Learn more about The Asian American Foundation
  • The AAPI Nonprofit Database
  • TAAF Annual Impact Report 2023
  • TAAF NYC Safety Study
  • TAAF STAATUS Index 2024
• Learn more about Hogg Foundation for Mental Health