1. The 2020 Census: Planning for a Complete Count
Mindy Thorp
Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
August 8, 2019
The partnership program is part of the Census Partnership and Engagement Program or CPEP. We have the goal of engaging, supporting, and creating effective partnerships with the trusted messengers and local leaders in our communities. Although the census is planned nationally, it happens locally.
To accomplish an accurate Census four things must occur: We must establish where to count, motivate people to respond, initiate operations to count the people, then we have to release the results of the Census.

2. Decennial Census was mandated in our Constitution in 1787
It is not only a population count, but a housing count as well.

3. Why do we do a Census? Article 1, Section 2 of the US Constitution
The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
Key Purpose is Apportioning the US House of Representatives
Its in the constitution
"The first nation in the world to take a regular population census, the United States has been counting its population every 10 years since 1790—as required by the U.S. Constitution. The first U.S. census was conducted by 16 U.S. marshals and their 650 assistants. It took them 18 months to visit households and compile the final tally of 3.9 million people, including nearly 700,000 slaves." 
Now this first census was conducted entirely on horseback…that’s very different from how this census is going to be conducted.

4. 2020 Census
Our goal is to count everyone once, only one, and in the right place.

5. Why does the 2020 Census matter?
Power
Congressional representation
Reapportionment & redistricting
Money
$675 billion distributed annually
Funding distributed based on population
Alaska
Over $13 billion in federal funds each year to WA
Over $3 billion in federal funds each year to ID

6. What if we again had a 24% undercount in each state?
6/02/2014
An undercount affects the distribution of federal dollars to state and local governments
What if we again had a 24% undercount in each state?
ID 1,754,208 (421,000 x $1,473* =
$620 Million/year)
WA 7,535,591 (1,808,500 x $1,914* =
$3.4 Billion/year)
Now think about how much that adds up over the course of 10 years.
These numbers based on 2015 Fiscal year

7. What are barriers to enumeration?
6/02/2014
What are barriers to enumeration?
Map of 2010 participation rates

8. Hard-to-Count Populations
Tribal members
Lower income
Renters
Veterans
Seasonal/Migrant Workers
Children under 5
People experiencing homelessness
Racial and ethnic minorities
Rural Communities
Senior Citizens
People with Disabilities
Foreign Born/Immigrant Populations
College students
Frequent Movers/Mobile millennials
Linguistically Isolated
Encourage those you know that represents or supports any of these hard-to-count populations to get involved with the outreach.

9. How the data gets used:
Inform federal, tribal, state, and local government planning decisions
Inform business and nonprofit organization decisions (e.g., where to locate, size of the market)
Provide population benchmark for nearly every other United States survey
The Census has all sorts of data, visualization and comparison tools etc. I’m sure many of you in this room have used these tools.
In fact, can I get a show of hands of those who have used Census data for some type of project. Can anyone share that.

10. How to Use the data
The Census has all sorts of data, visualization and comparison tools etc. I’m sure many of you in this room have used these tools. In fact, can I get a show of hands of those who have used Census data for some type of project. Can anyone share that.
Data Dissemination and Training Branch Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office Phone Number: ASK-DATA

11. Reach Out Area Mapper (ROAM)
Other Data Tools
Reach Out Area Mapper (ROAM)
Public mapping application that displays characteristics of hard-to-count areas
ACS 5-year estimates
Census tract level
The Census Bureau also created ROAM. ROAM is an interactive web mapping application that allows users to easily access LRS at tract level and select variables from the Planning Database. This tool is available to the public and we use it for our outreach efforts.
Identify hard-to-count areas (areas with concentrations of hard-to-count populations that make counting them or enumeration of the area difficult).
Identify areas where special outreach and promotion efforts should be considered, such as areas with language barriers, high poverty levels, or where residents have been displaced due to natural disasters.

12. Data Confidentiality The Census is Confidential and required by Law
Results of the Census are reported in Statistical format only
We do not share a respondent’s personal information with other government agencies
All Census Employees swear to a lifetime oath to protect respondent information
Penalties for wrongful disclosure - Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000

13. Other Census Bureau Programs
Economic Census
Census of Governments
American Community Survey
Demographic Surveys
Economic Surveys
Sponsored Surveys such as the Current Population Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the National Survey of College Graduates
OVER 130 Other Surveys
ACS samples 3.5 million households annually
Of over 130 surveys produced by the US Census Bureau, the Decennial Census Questionnaire is the only one that is mandatory if we live in the United States.

14. New Ability to Self Respond
Starting March 23, 2020
Twenty five percent of housing units in the nation do not have a computer with internet connectivity and depend on other resources – libraries being one of them!
• Additionally, we are making it easier to respond with technology. For the first time, people will have multiple ways to self-respond – online, by phone, or by mail
• The Census Bureau will be encouraging individuals nationwide to respond whenever and wherever they are. This includes the ability for folks to respond on the go or at community events, even if they do not have the unique Census ID sent to their address.
Internet Phone Paper Form In-person
*13 languages including English will be supported

15. Language Support for Linguistically Diverse Populations
Available in Spanish
Enumerator Instruments (hand held)
Paper questionnaire and other mailings
Field enumeration materials
Internet option and Census Questionnaire Assistance (CQAs) will be available in 12 non-English languages
Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Japanese
Items available in 59 non-English languages
Language glossary
Language identification card
Some of the things that the census bureau has devised to reduce barriers to enumeration

16. How can Libraries help to ensure a complete count in 2020?
6/02/2014
How can Libraries help to ensure a complete count in 2020?
As planner you are uniquely situated to help! You are the Trusted Voices!

17. Census Bureau Community Partnership and Engagement Program
6/02/2014
Census Bureau Community Partnership and Engagement Program
Establish Complete Count Committees
State
Library representatives are currently serving on a large percentage of Complete Count Committees.

18. Trusted Voices are Critical to Success
Recently a Census 101 webinar series has been released to help those in these unique positions to help.
Again, we need you to join a local CCC to lend your expertise.

19. Librarians are trusted voices in their communities!
We need your help to increase participation in the 2020 Census of those who are less likely to respond or are often missed.
Educate
Encourage
Engage
Because twenty five percent of housing units in the nation do not have a computer with internet connectivity and depend on library resources - Census is preparing for an uptick in patrons utilizing library resources for online self-response, job applications and training.

20. Local Outreach Strategies
Participate in Complete Count Committees
Census 101 Webinars
Plan a Census Day Event
Help Recruitment Activities –
Statistics in Schools
Media & Communications
Mobile Response Events

21. 67 new activities for students in pre-K through grade 12
6/02/2014
Statistics in Schools
K-12 Activities
State Facts
Math Geography
History
Sociology
English
Census 101
Fun Facts
67 new activities for students in pre-K through grade 12
Pre-K materials include - Activity Book, Song/Music Video, Webisode, Classroom Worksheets &
Take-home letter to parents explaining the materials available and how to get involved
Also, there are activities and resources for ELL and adult ESL students with corresponding educator guides.

22. What is Statistics in Schools?
It is a free program.
It provides opportunities
to teach statistics in various
subjects.
It is designed to support
teachers’ existing lesson plans.
The program started in 2000
as Census in Schools.
The program was revised
over the last few years.

23. 6/02/2014
Key Census Milestones

24. Next Steps
Help to generate your community’s readiness for the 2020 Census
Work to mobilize your community and join or form Complete Count Committees
Invite Census Staff to your meetings
Help us recruit a diverse staff for the Census
Sign up to receive Census updates
We want to work with you and want to hear your ideas. The goal here is to look at every possible way that we can work towards a full and accurate count in the 2020 census.
Help motivate your City Council to create a create a CCC if they haven’t already.
Identify community organizations that work directly with hard-to-count populations and who we can partner with to conduct outreach.
Encourage them to join the CCC. Incorporate census outreach and education efforts into your existing community engagements

25. Other Resources for Libraries
National 2020 Census Partners
American Library Association
Chief Officers of State Library Associations
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Census has been engaged with ALA, COSLA, IMLS the past 10 months in identifying resource needs through ALA's 2020 Task Force. 

26. 1-888-658-5564 (RCC recruiting hotline)
6/02/2014
(RCC recruiting hotline)

27. Questions ?
We know the census will be a challenge in many communities.
It is important to us to make sure we work together to count everyone.
After all – we live here too and want what is best the Northwest

28. Mindy Thorp – Northern Idaho Licett Figueroa– Eastern Washington
Contact Information
Mindy Thorp – Northern Idaho
Partnership Specialist
Licett Figueroa– Eastern Washington