A CALL TO ACTION: CENSUS 2020 NEEDS YOU!
A Letter from Gary Bass
NPR reported
that
the Census Bureau plans to rush the census by moving the end of data collection from October 31 to September 30
– even as there were nearly 70,000 new Coronavirus cases reported.
This raises significant questions about whether those hardest to reach, including those who have historically been undercounted, will be fully counted in this census. Even with the October 31 date there were questions about whether everyone could be counted given the many challenges to the census. Rushing the census by shortening the critical door knocking phase of the census assures an inaccurate and unfair count.
The health pandemic has created major challenges to an accurate count. The Census Bureau adjusted the census schedule to try to accommodate. For example, instead of the census ending today, July 31, it was extended to October 31. A critical phase for the census is sending enumerators to the doors of households that have not already responded to the census – called the Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) operation. It was to start in mid-May (and go for 2½ months), but isn’t scheduled to be fully operational until August 11 now. Shortening NRFU would be a retreat from the 2½ month original plan.
As of yesterday, just under 63% of households have responded to the census. Put another way, nearly 4 out of 10 households have not yet responded. All but four states are below the response rate they had heading into NRFU in 2010. Even within the states who have met their 2010 response rates, the counting within those states are uneven. Communities with high numbers of immigrants, people of color and low-income populations – typically undercounted – have lower response rates than other communities.
Wealthier suburban communities are doing better than urban and rural communities. Meanwhile, Covid-19 cases are surging in numerous states across the country, making it uncertain how effective the door-to-door campaign will be to count those not yet counted. Some Indian reservations are closed and have yet to be able to receive their forms. It is quite possible that enumerators won’t be able to go to certain apartment complexes, blocks or neighborhoods because of the virus. In the regions where the Census Bureau has begun its soft launches of NRFU, there are reportedly high numbers of recruits dropping out because of the risks involved. And these are areas that are not current hot spots. Other areas are significantly below the work force the Bureau was hoping to have, putting more pressure on the already short window the Census Bureau has to complete the count.
Rushing the census also raises concerns about the quality review and processing of the data after NRFU ends.
Although NPR confirms numerous rumors about ending the census early, the Census Bureau has not put out an official statement that the final date for census data collection is September 30. Whether or not they make an official statement, it is important for us to urge now that they continue their work through October 31. State and local governments and our philanthropic efforts have been geared to the October 31 date. Many of us have funded ads and other outreach strategies underway to encourage people to respond to enumerators or to otherwise respond to the census based on the October 31 timeline.
Accordingly, we’ve prepared a funder sign-on letter to ask the Administration to stick with the October 31 date.
This change is as significant as the addition of the citizenship question to the decennial survey. You may recall over 300 foundation leaders from across the country signed a
letter
calling on the Trump administration to remove the citizenship question from the decennial census.
That letter had a big impact. I’m hoping we can have the same impact now. After all, curtailing the census will undoubtedly undercut the ability to have a fair and accurate census.
By the way, the stakeholder groups are also doing a similar but separate sign-on letter.
I hope you can sign the attached letter requesting census data collection operations continue until October 31.
To sign on, click
here
by August 6
.
Because of the expedited timeline, we aren’t able to accept substantive edits to the letter.
This letter should be signed by your CEO or senior official. We’ll need name of the person signing, title, organization name, city and state.
Foundations and philanthropy serving organizations are eligible to sign on. Feel free to distribute the letter to other funders. But please note that the letter will be public and may be reported by the media.
As a reminder, since this will be a request of a government agency about an administrative action, it is not lobbying (which is defined as an attempt to influence legislation). Private foundations are permitted to engage in non-lobbying activities. For more information, see a
memo
about foundation advocacy related to the census from Beth Kingsley, a national foundation tax law expert at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, and a
summary
of it.
Philanthropy has played an important and successful role on a host of census-related issues. We’re needed again at this most important moment in our mutual goal to achieve a fair and accurate census. Please do sign on.
I and the rest of the census team are around to answer any questions.
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NEWS FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU
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Census Takers to Start Follow Up With
Nonresponding Households in Select Locations
JULY 30, 2020
— The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will begin following up with households
in select areas
that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census.
Starting August 6, census takers will begin interviewing households in areas managed by the following area census offices:
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Wilmington, Delaware
- Boston, Lawrence and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts
- Concord, New Hampshire
- Lansing and Oakland County, Michigan
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Parsippany, South Plainfield and Newark, New Jersey
- Albany, Bronx (2 locations), Brooklyn (3 locations), Manhattan (2 locations), Queens (4 locations), Pawling, Peekskill, Rochester, Staten Island and Syracuse, New York
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Allentown, Norristown, Philly Franklin, Philly Penn and Reading, Pennsylvania
- Fairfax, Fredericksburg and Roanoke, Virginia
T
he majority of census offices across the country will begin follow-up work on August 11.
Households can still respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received, by responding online at
2020census.gov
, or by phone at 844-330-2020. Households can also respond online or by phone in one of 13
languages
and find assistance in many more. Those that respond will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.
What Households Can Expect
The Census Bureau will provide face masks to census takers and requires that census takers wear a mask while conducting their work. They will follow CDC and local public health guidelines when they visit. Census takers must complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance before beginning their work in neighborhoods.
Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.
If no one is home when the census taker visits, they will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail. People are encouraged to cooperate with census takers and ensure that everyone who was living in their household as of April 1, 2020, is counted.
How to Identify Census Takers
Census takers can be
easily identified
by a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public may contact their
regional census center
to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
How are these Offices Selected for the Early Start to Deploying Census Takers?
Career Census Bureau operational leadership makes the decision on when and where area census offices will begin following up with households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. As part of the selection criteria, we ensured these offices offered a variety of situations to help roll out the systems. We also followed a thorough review of the operating status of a state, locality or tribal area; the key data that support that operating status as identified by federal, state and local guidance; and the ability of Census Bureau staff to safely resume operations, including the procurement of personal protective equipment.
About the 2020 Census
The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone who lives in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day). Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years.
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CENSUS NEWS
Read some of the latest headlines, resources, and news stories highlighting why a fair, just, and accurate census is critical for communities everywhere
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Rural Outreach
Census Counts has developed a
new resource
highlighting various outreach tactics for rural communities that prioritize safety in the wake of COVID-19.
Internet and Phone Resource Guide
There's a
new resource
to help with the shift to digital outreach. This google doc is a place to find low- or no-cost internet and phone services, potential funding opportunities, and increased security.
Self-Response: Responding without an ID
Census Counts 2020 and New America have created this
resource
to help individuals without an ID to respond to the Census.
Census Protection Hotlines
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (888-COUNT20), in partnership and coordination with the Arab American Institute (833-3DDOUNI), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (844-2020-API), and NALEO Educational Fund (877-EL-CENSO), are operating census hotlines in English, Spanish, Arabic, and eight Asian languages. The hotlines are live and ready to serve as a resource for individuals and organizations who have questions or concerns about the 2020 Census. Additional details and resources are available in the
Census Protection Hotline Partner Toolkit
.
Census Disinformation Resources
Disinformation is false or misleading information that has been intentionally designed to confuse and manipulate the public. The best way to inoculate against disinformation around the 2020 Census is to uplift positive messages about the importance of census participation. This
recent webinar
explains how to track, assess, report and respond to census mis/disinformation. Additional resources:
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August 12 at 1:00 pm
,
Webinar
How the 2020 Census Counts People Experiencing Homelessness
Hosted by Census Counts and Funders Census Initiative
August 14 at 1:00 pm,
Briefing
Funder Census Meeting
Hosted by Census Counts and Funders Census Initiative
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Redistricting Resources: Preparing to Engage
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The national collaborative has kicked off its work on redistricting. Every month, funders from across the country are gathering to learn about how to support fair redistricting, understand the tools and resources available to assist with those efforts, as well as receiving a briefing on what is happening throughout the country as it relates to legislative and ballot measures happening in different States. The briefings also cover how changes to Census 2020 are impacting redistricting.
Below are the resources that were provided during the July funder briefing. Please share with your networks and grantees partners invested in this work.
For more redistricting resources, click
here
.
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RESOURCES FROM THE
NY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TABLE
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The NY Civic Engagement Table has released a resources folder for nonprofits to access information and materials to help them implement their get out the count (GOTC) programming. You are encouraged to share this resource with your nonprofit partners and CCCs preparing and interested in implementing GOTC programming.
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For grantees looking to engage in census-related activities, refer them to
NY Counts 2020
.
NY Counts 2020 is a coalition of nearly 100 diverse nonprofits/groups from across New York State developing a state-strategy focused on advocacy efforts, and providing information, resources and technical assistance as it relates to 'get out the count' measures to community-based organizations.
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To receive emails with tips, events, and resources from New York Counts 2020 click on this
link
and add a name and email address to help you stay on top of all things
Census, by receiving emails titled
Mobilize Monday, Take Two Tuesday,
and
We Count Wednesday
.
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This email was generated by
Engage New York
in support of the NYS Census Equity Fund; a pooled fund focused on supporting and mobilizing get out the count efforts to ensure every New Yorker is counted in Census 2020.
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