Bringing Your Agency's Data to Life

Agencies need to communicate their data in ways that decision-makers, partners, and the public can understand and use. This GovLoop guide focuses on data communication and visual storytelling, with government examples, expert advice, and practical techniques for developing clearer data narratives and visualizations. It also addresses the role of strong data foundations in supporting artificial intelligence and connecting data insights to agency missions. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, the guide may be useful when preparing performance updates, such as the ACF-196R or the ACF-204, explaining trends to leadership, or sharing findings with community partners. Clearer visualizations and more accessible explanations can help teams move beyond reporting numbers to communicating what the data suggests, where services may need attention, and how TANF program information relates to outcomes for families.