The Importance of Counting Everyone in Census 2010 in the Southwest Border Region

The Importance of Counting Everyone in Border Communities in Census 2010

Census 2010
What is Census 2010
Why is it so important?
Hard-to-Count populations
Border Communities Count Campaign
Important messages
Resources
What we can do
www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 2

Frontera Asset Building Network
A coalition of 80+ organizations
Southwest Border of the United States
Helping working families
increase their income
stabilize their financial lives
build wealth
Frontera Asset Building Network www.fabnetwork.org3

2010 Census
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone residing in the United States
Everyone regardless of citizenship
must be counted
April 1, 2010 is Census Day

How People are Counted
Step 1: March 2010 households receive Census form either by mail or in person.
Step 2: March-April 1 households complete the form & mail it back.
Step 3: April 1, 2010 is Census Day. Responses on the form should include everyone living at an address.
Step 4: April-July follow-up. Those who haven’t responded will be visited by a Census worker.
Step 5: Dec 31, 2010 the final results will be sent to the President.

You may not know…
4:1 - rate at which Latinos were more likely to be missed in Census 2000
$478 million - the estimated amount of net federal funds lost to states from 2002-2012 due to undercounting in the 2000 Census
$1,200 to $2,200 per person – approximate federal funding Border communities currently receive related to 2000 Census count

Important Reasons for Ensuring an Accurate Count in Your Community
Consequences of undercounting are significant
Federal funding
Voting rights
Economic development & private investment
Community services & infrastructure
Data for decisions

Border Area Population is Hard-to-Count
Many populations at high risk of not being counted:
Immigrants
Undocumented persons
Families with young children
Families with mixed legal status
Transient or displaced families, such as homeless people, foreclosure victims, and migrant workers
Isolated communities - rural, colonias & Native American reservations

Hard-to-Count Counties
Census maps out strategy to count hardest-to-get residents. USA TODAY 10-20-09

Hard-to-Count Counties Southwest Border Region
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Adapted from Census Map USA TODAY 10-20-09

In These Hard-to-Count Populations
Trust issues
Mistrust of government agencies
Fear
Language as a barrier
Tentative about filling out forms
Worried about where the information goes

Being Counted is Easy
It’s important
It’s easy
It’s safe

It’s Easy
10 questions – 10 minutes
In Spanish & English
Community-based Census Assistance Centers

10 questions – 10 minutes

It’s Safe
Completely confidential
Individual information is safe & strongly protected by law
Census Bureau staff cannot share information with anyone including federal & law enforcement entities
Stiff penalties for a breach

Some Important Messages
Everyone counts
It’s vital to participate in Census 2010
The Census is important for your community
Benefits
Community impact

How Census Data Benefits Us
From U.S. Census Bureau’s Toolkit for Reaching Latinos

Some Important Messages
It’s vital to participate in Census 2010
The Census is important for your community
Benefits
Community impact
Safety
Confidentiality
Ease

By participating in the Census, you can help create a better future for you & those important to you.

Ensure a complete, accurate & just count in southwest Border communities
Partner & collaborate with national, regional & local groups
Reach those at high risk of not being counted

Border Communities Count Resources
Website
Census resources
Small grants
Outreach strategies
News & updates
Twitter
Webinars & trainings
Technical assistance

FABN Small Grants
Deadline Dec 15, 2009
Census outreach for hard-to-count groups
Southwest Border states
Up to $3,000
501c3 organizations
Be an official Census partner
Overlay outreach activities on existing programs
Complete all activities by March 30, 2010

U.S. Census Bureau Resources
Website
Become a Partner
Complete Count Committee
Toolkits
Latinos
Immigrants
Migrant Workers
Questionnaire Assistance Centers

U.S. Census Partnership Sites
Denver
720-475-3670
Los Angeles
818-717-5820
Dallas
214-637-9680
Southwest Border States
Census Bureau
1-866-928-2010 Spanish assistance

NALEO’s Ya Es Hora Campaign
Website
How to Complete the Cenus Form
Step-by-step guide
Toolkits
Spanish/English information

Nonprofits Count
Website
Census Toolkit for Nonprofits
Fact Sheets

Indian Country Counts
Website
Toolkit for Tribes
Cool T-shirts
Webinars & videos
News & updates
Discussion boards

Other National & Regional Resources
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
California Complete Count
League of Women Voters
Asian American Justice Center
LULAC(League of United Latin American Citizens)

Our Biggest Resource
The trusted voices of grassroots nonprofit & other community-based groups
Directly connecting with residents
Collaborating with you

What You Can Do
Join the Border Community Counts initiative!
Stay updated with our Enews & Twitter
Become a US Census Partner
Connect with local Complete Count Committee
Explore existing resources
Get active

Outreach Strategies
Put information about the Census in newsletters & Enews
Place links to US Census & other resources on your web site
Host information events
Partner with regional & local groups to get the word out
Find ways to add Census outreach & education to your existing programs
Distribute information to all your contacts & clients – email, fliers, paycheck stuffers etc
Ask volunteers & staff to get the word out
Talk to local media about covering the Census
Get involved in big or small ways

We all need to act together to make sure the Border region is counted fairly & accurately

Thank You for Participating
Maria Markham
Frontera Asset Building Network
Census 2010 Coordinator
info@fabnetwork.org
202-486-8813

Follow FABN online:
Website | Census Information | Twitter | E-news
Building strong financial futures for
working families in the Southwest Border

LET’S MAKE

The Importance of Counting Everyone in Census 2010 in the Southwest Border Region

by mariamarkham

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