Afterschool programs across our country are making a huge difference in the lives of children, families and communities. Millions of our children and youth rely on federal support, determined by the U.S. census, to attend afterschool and summer learning programs. The results of the census will be used to determine how more than $675 billion of federal spending will be allocated for the next 10 years.
It is critical that every individual physically living in Connecticut be counted in the census regardless of age, citizenship status, homeowner status, or language spoken at home. But far too many families are not counted, especially those that directly benefit from access to afterschool and summer learning programs.
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. In fact, every employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.
Helping to get an accurate census count is one of the most important things we can do to serve our communities.
Out of the 16 biggest programs with funding tied to census results, eight are related to education; the largest of these tied to afterschool is Title I funding. 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding, and Child Care Development Block Grant funding are also determined by the census results.
Census data is used widely by both the private and public spheres. If the census count is not accurate, the children, families, and communities we serve stand to lose a host of resources.
Help connect families to the census.
Share information about what the census is and how families can fill out the census.
Provide families that have access to computers with internet with easy explanations on how to fill out the census accurately.
Host a census night that provides computers with internet access and easy explanations for people to fill out the census.
If you have the resources, become an official center where families can fill out the census.
Connect families to local libraries where they can fill out the census.