For the first time in its history, Census 2020 can be completed online. Or by phone. Or by mail.
While we are all confined to our homes, now is the perfect time to participate in one of the defining events of 2020, something that will impact Connecticut for the next decade.
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 and especially our children. Undercounted communities will get less than their fair share of annual federal spending over the next decade, including for programs vital to children, from health insurance and food stamps to special education and Head Start preschools.
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.
The 2020 Census marks the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790. The Census Bureau does not disclose any personal information; the law requires the Census Bureau to keep information confidential and use responses only to produce statistics.
The accuracy of the count will impact and influence countless decisions for Connecticut that will literally last a decade.