Tools and Resources

The following tools and resources have been assembled to enhance the work of faith-based and community organizations

Technical Assistance
Health
Substance Abuse
Human Services
Emergency Preparedness
Research
Locate Current Providers in Your Area

Technical Assistance:

NEW Sustainability Guide for Grassroots Organizations - SAMHSA has released an effective tool-kit for sustainability ideas and practices for faith-based and community organizations. This kit is very practical and will help organizations aggressively plan for the long-term to keep doing great work in their communities. Topics include financial planning, fund development and raising, evaluations and marketing strategies.
U.S. Census Bureau Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Tool Kit - The U.S. Census Bureau produced this toolkit to assist faith-based and community organizations with obtaining Census information for grant writing and community needs assessment.
Touching Lives and Communities Training Video Workshops - These training video workshops, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s CFBCI, provide information on capacity building, corporation and foundation giving, board development, grant management, and program evaluation.
How to Write A Successful Grant Proposal Webcast – Learn how to write a successful federal grant proposal from the U.S. Department of Education’s CFBCI new Webcast
Conducting Successful Public Relations and Media Interviews – Learn how to improve your organization’s Public Relations in this new guide from the U.S. Department of Labor’s CFBCI
Grant Writing Portal to Success – A one-stop grant writing resource from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CFBCI
Breakthrough Performance- Ten Emerging Practices of Leading Intermediaries – This guidebook examines effective efforts of leading intermediary organizations.
Toolkit for Faith-based and Community Organizations – An online resource with helpful links, tools, and information for faith-based and community organizations
Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government–A guide produced by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives which provides a basic overview of partnering with the Federal government
Tax information for non-profit 510(c)(3) organizations provided by the IRS– Useful links for FBCOs compiled by the IRS
Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers: A Guide for Faith- and Community-Based Service Providers (PDF - 900KB), [DOC - 1.9MB]–A guide produced by SAMHSA designed for community groups and faith-based organizations seeking to maximize the skills of their volunteers, expand their services to the community, and enhance their effectiveness.
Maximizing Program Services Through Private Sector Partnerships and Relationships: A Guide to Faith-Based and Community Organizations (PDF - 3MB), [DOC - 645KB]–A guide produced by SAMHSA that provides FBCOs with specific, practical guidance about the fundamental aspects of engaging corporate givers and foundation grantmakers
"Developing Competitive SAMHSA Grant Applications" Participant Manual– A guide created to help you acquire the skills and resources needed to plan, write, and prepare a competitive federal grant application
US Non-profit Gateway– Useful Federal links for FBCOs compiled by USA.Gov
Rural Assistance Center Guide - RAC helps rural communities and other rural stakeholders access the full range of available programs, funding, and research that can enable them to provide quality health and human services to rural residents

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Health:

Full List of Federal Clearinghouses—compiled by the Office on Minority Health, this comprehensive list provides links to federal sites with free resources and information
Developing a Consumer Health Resource Information Service Program: A Guide for Faith-Based Organizations and Communities (PDF-564 KB)– This manual is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide for communities, churches and other faith-based entities that want to mobilize resources to develop a Consumer Health Resource Information Service program
HIV/AIDS a Manual for Faith Communities (PDF - 2.62 MB)- This HIV/AIDS manual for faith leaders was originally developed to target the problem of HIV infection among African Americans and others in the southern region of the United States
Body and Soul a Celebration of Healthy Eating and Living - This HIV/AIDS manual for faith leaders was originally developed to target the problem of HIV infection among African Americans and others in the southern region of the United States
Live Healthy in Faith (6.29 MB) - The goal of this manual is to help faith communities establish a health promotion program focused on better nutrition and enhanced physical activity

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Substance Abuse:

National Review of State Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs and Certification Standards for Substance Abuse Counselors and Prevention Professionals (PDF - 237KB)- A national overview of State-by-State information on licensing, certification, and credentialing standards for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, programs, counselors, and prevention professionals
SAMHSA Issues Group Therapy Guide for Substance Use Disorders Treatment (830 KB) – An overview of the role and efficacy of group therapy in substance abuse treatment planning. The guide offers research and clinical findings and distills them into practical guidelines for practitioners of group therapy modalities in the field of substance abuse treatment

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Human Services:

National Clearinghouse for Families and Youth– A free information service for communities, organizations, and individuals interested in developing new and effective strategies for supporting young people and their families
National Healthy Marriage Resource Center – A clearinghouse for information, resources, and training on healthy marriage for experts, researchers, policymakers, media, marriage educators, couples and individuals, program providers, and others.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse– A clearinghouse providing access to print and electronic publications, timely information on fatherhood issues, and targeted resources that support OFA-funded Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage grantees

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Emergency Preparedness:

Hurricane Toolkit (PDF - 575KB)– Developed by the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Faith-Based Organizations and Pandemic Preparedness– A small guide on how faith-based organizations can be vital partners in preparing for an influenza pandemic

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