The East Noble Connector
March 2020: Census Edition
April 1st is Census Day
Every 10 years, the government performs a count of all individuals living in our country, regardless of their citizenship status. An accurate count is critical to our state and our community, as it will determine the way that federal funds are distributed and will affect the way that many parts of our local government will operate over the next decade. This census is so important that this newsletter is dedicated to informing you of why the 2020 Census is important, uncovering different situations that lead to not all individuals being counted, and to show you how easy it is to complete the census. Please help us shape the future of the community, complete the census based on where you are staying on April 1, 2020, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
If you have questions or are need help completing your census, email me at ckesterke@eastnoble.net and I am happy to assist.
-Cassaundra Kesterke
ENSC Community Outreach Coordinator
2020 Census PSA: Census Made Simple (2:20)
How does the Census affect your community?
- The Census count is used by the federal government to determine how to allocate approximately $883 billion in federal funds.
- Of the $883 billion, $160 billion is set aside for programs that support children.
Completing the Census helps your community receive important funding to address local community needs.
For more information read:
An accurate count of young children is needed to ensure children and families have access to resources such as housing, jobs, equitable education,and health care.
Young Children Need to be Counted
It is estimated that for every child missed in the census count, Indiana will lose about $926 per year. Over the course of the next decade, that is almost $10,000 per child missed.
An estimated 5% of children under the age of 5 weren't counted in the 2010 Census. That's about 1 million young children.
Common Situations where young children aren't counted:
- The child is a newborn.
- The child splits time between two homes.
- The child lives or stays with another family or with a relative such as a grandparent.
- The child lives in a large, multigenerational family with extended or multiple families.
What to do?
- If you have a newborn and are still in the hospital on April 1st, count them.
- Count everyone where they live and sleep most of the time.
- If your child spends equal time between two homes, count them where they will sleep on April 1st. Talk to the other parent, caregiver, or the family that you are staying with to ensure your child is counted.
- If you are the one filling out the form, count all people living or staying at your address, even if they don't own or rent the property.
Who is counted?
- Children and newborn babies
- Citizens and noncitizens
- Relatives and nonrelatives
- People staying with you temporarily
The law requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your information confidential
- Your name and address are only collected to verify that you are only counted once.
- Per the law, any information collected may only be used for statistical purposes. It cannot be used against you.
- All Census Bureau workers take a lifetime oath to protect your information. A violation could cost them up to $250,000 and/or up to 5 years in prison.
That means:
- No information is shared with any other federal, state or local government agency.
- Survey responses are not shared with law enforcement
It's Easy and Convenient for Everyone!
- For the first time ever, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online.
- The form can be completed in just 10 minutes.
- If you do not complete a census form, a Census Bureau worker will come to your address to collect the information in person.
Click here to Complete the 2020 Census