Update Presented by Neighborhood Services Division Board of County Commissioners April 6, 2010 Census 2010… IT’S IN OUR HANDS!

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Census Overview Requirement of the United States Constitution Population counted every ten years Count of households as of April 1, 2010

Census Overview Impact on Orange County Federal and state funding for services and programs Impacts funding of roads, schools, parks, housing Used by businesses, churches, and nonprofits to determine service areas Political representation

Census Overview Initial Preparations Oct. 2008Complete Count Committee Established Local address verification April 1, 2009Local Campaign kickoff Census Timeline

Census Overview 2010 –January Census Campaign kickoff –March Census forms mailed –April Census takers released –JulyTabulation period –December Totals due to US President Census Timeline

Census Overview Census Facts $1 per person in advertising costs Children 5 and under frequently missed Only 10 questions on the form Questionnaire available in six languages 870,000 workers hired to conduct census $1.5 million could be saved if everyone mailed the form back

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Local Outreach Complete Count Committee Created by BCC Resolution Informal Committee - grassroots Diverse citizen representation

Local Outreach Complete Count Committee Mobilizes community organizations Monitors progress of returns by census tract or block group Promotes census job opportunities

Local Outreach Outreach Activities Billboards Radio advertisements Lynx Bus advertisement

Local Outreach Outreach Activities Project Homeless Connect Website

Local Outreach Outreach Activities Utility Bill Stuffers Festivals and parades

Local Outreach Outreach Activities Neighborhood Canvassing

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Program Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Census Process Advanced census letters February 15 – March 15 Census forms released March 15 – April 12 Reminder census letters April - May Census takers canvass April - July

Census Process Be Counted Sites –Currently 31 sites –Obtain questionnaires –Cannot accept returns –March 19 – April 19 Questionnaire Assistance Centers –Individualized help –Many languages

Census Process All forms geocoded Addresses linked to geographic areas Wrong addresses will be followed up by census taker

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Program Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Participation Rates United States60% Florida57% Orange County52% (rates as of 4/5/10)

Participation Rates Forms still being mailed April 1 target date Reluctant participants Expect to be near 70%

Presentation Outline Census Overview Local Outreach Census Process Participation Rates Next Steps

Continue Outreach Census takers released BCC Update

Update Presented by Neighborhood Services Division Board of County Commissioners April 6, 2010 Census 2010… ITS IN OUR HANDS!