Making Sure the Count Counts

Help shape the future of Connecticut

You may have noticed that we have been talking about the Census a lot lately, but that’s because so much depends upon this count. Federal infrastructure, education, and public safety funding; representation in Congress and the state legislature; and even economic development all rely on the data collected. That is why we at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) have created a plan of action and developed materials for you to use to make sure every resident is counted.

The Census Bureau is dealing with constrained budgets, distrust in government, informal living arrangements, a mobile population, increasingly diverse populations, and rapidly changing technology. Because each and every person living in America at the time the Census takes place must be counted, they need help from towns and cities who are time and again ranked as the most trusted level of government.

While they have instituted many changes to help overcome these challenges — for the first time ever, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online and by phone — they still need the help of the elected officials closest to the people. And CCM wants to help our local officials guarantee a successful count.

CCM built our plan of action to make sure our communities are well-informed and can share that info with their residents. CCM has urged towns to: • Inform residents that the census is easy and protects their data • Create or join a local Complete Count Committee • Partner with trusted voices and influential leaders who are committed to increasing census participation • Educate residents on the importance of completing the census • Participate in Point in Time Counts of those experiencing homelessness • Help with recruiting for census jobs

Each town or city can create their own Complete Count Committee (CCC), and serve as state and local “census ambassador.” These committees are whatever a municipality needs them to be. They can include outreach to rural areas without physical mailboxes, or partnering with organizations in areas where English is not a primary language.

This is important in communities that might be leery of filling out a governmental form. The census does not reveal personal data and federal law protects responses — info will not be shared to any agency or court, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. In fact, all Census Bureau staff take a lifetime oath to protect personal information.

Many of you have seen the work we’ve been putting out on social media. We’ve created badges for you to share with the residents that follow your pages on Facebook or Instagram. There will be downloadable posters in English and Spanish for you to put up in your town halls. There will be booklets on best ideas, one for community outreach and one for local officials like yourself.

The Census Bureau also says that issuing a simple news release announcing your support of the 2020 Census initiatives and activities will help. They suggest sharing the release with local media and offering interviews to discuss the importance of the 2020 Census, and going further, inviting a Census Bureau Regional Director to help.

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing videos from the national Census and local leaders on best practices that you can use in your town or city. Municipal leaders are the most trusted government officials, and you can use that trust to get good information out to your residents.

In this most critical time, between February and April, they offer a list of initiatives to bolster support for response, including: adding a census message during meetings, providing information on federally funded programs that have benefitted the community, saturate public access areas with easy-to-read and understandable census information, and asking elected officials in the community to speak out and encourage completion of the census.

The Census is crucial for municipalities. The state uses data from the Census to make projections about school districts, health statistics and emergency preparedness. The Educational Cost Sharing formula uses census data. It allows the state to target public health interventions and public safety planning for vulnerable populations.

And municipalities need to know this information to make accurate predictions on things like housing and transportation needs. The data will not be revised in a few months or a few years, the next Census won’t be until 2030, so an undercount can affect municipalities for an entire decade.

$11 billion in federal resources came to our state this past year based on census figures. That money represents over 55 different federal programs including SNAP, Housing Programs, and Community Development Block Grants. Connecticut sends more money to Washington than it gets back, so making sure the Census is accurate is paramount to maintaining the funding that the state and municipalities receive.

The Census is at the heart of good economic development. Businesses make all kinds of decisions for retail and manufacturing placement based on population data, so it is in municipalities’ best interest to make sure they are ensuring a full and accurate count.

Like elections, the Census an exercise in civic participation and, arguably, as important. Because they only happen every ten years, it increases the need for full participation when it happens.

Our plan of action and suite of resources ensures that we not only properly communicate the importance of the 2020 Census, but that we make sure that all Connecticut residents are on board. A full account helps provide the financial resources and essential data to improve the lives of residents, and foster economic development. We are all in this together, the Census is counting on it.

For those who are interested in more information, there are plenty of resources. CCM, as mentioned, has provided materials in English and Spanish for you to share on social media, or you can print out for your message boards around town. Census.gov is a wealth of resources for towns, and is the primary means of getting correct, verified, and truthful information about the Census.

If you are looking to speak to someone directly, you can contact the New York Regional Office. The phone number is 212-584-3400 or 1-800-991-2520, and the e-mail is New.York.Regional.Office@ census.gov.

1. AWARENESS POSTERS - CONFIDENTIALITY

Explains that census responses are safe and confidential. Print on 11x17 paper to display in municipal buildings.

https://www.ccm-ct.org/sites/default/files/files/Poster_ About_Confidentiality_Option1.pdf

https://www.ccm-ct.org/sites/default/files/files/Poster_ About_Confidentiality_Spanish.pdf

2. SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES & GRAPHICS

Through your social media channels, you can help shape your community. Download these images and graphics and share them with your social networks. General Connecticut and municipality-specific graphics available.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ccm.forct/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2611608645789224

3. PSA VIDEOS

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are an effective way to educate the public about the importance of the 2020 Census and why participation matters. You can share these on your website, on social media, and more!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhz-zKYsPHaZ- VrYk-YpOXElokvzsy9UgT