By LoAnn Ayers

Census 2020 is unlike any of the 23 that came before it. For the first time, in addition to mail or phone, people will be able to respond online from any device. The U.S. Constitution requires this once-a-decade snapshot of how many people live in each community. A high response rate means more federal funds for local support.

Since

our counties were undercounted in 2010 by nearly 30 percent, our region did not

get its fair share of state and local funds for the last 10 years. 

Local

community leaders formed the Benton Franklin Complete Count Committee. Their

goal is that everyone gets counted. United Way of Benton & Franklin

Counties was recently awarded a grant and a state contract to support the

strategies to increase our region’s response rate. 

The

census is just 10 questions and takes an average of 10 minutes to complete. To

ensure a complete count, some concerns must first be addressed and understood.

How safe is it?

Federal

law protects all census responses. Your information is confidential and will

never be accessed by law enforcement or immigration enforcement agencies, the

IRS, or any other agency or person.  It

also cannot be used to determine eligibility for government benefits.

The

2020 census does not ask for Social Security numbers or citizenship. In fact,

you can skip questions that make you uncomfortable—like ethnicity or gender—and

still be counted.

How does the census impact my family and community?

For

every person not counted, our community loses $2,300 in federal funds alone,

each year for the next 10 years. We also won’t get our fair share of state

funds to support the needs of our growing communities.

State

and federal governments use census data to determine how much our community

receives for public transit, job training, school lunches, special education,

foster care, college student tuition support, Medicare Part B, food and housing

for low-income families, and more. 

Businesses

use it to decide where to build or expand, which creates jobs and economic

activity. Local government officials use it to ensure public safety and plan

for new schools, hospital expansion and utilities.

The

census also makes sure that our region is fairly represented. Results determine

how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives and designates

boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts, based on

population shifts.

How do I identify a scam?

Being

informed is the best way to spot a scam. Here’s what you need to know:

The

U.S. Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security number, money or

anything on behalf of a political party. It won’t ask for bank or credit card

account numbers, your mother’s maiden name, or threaten you with arrest if you

do not comply. If a document or person asks for any of this information, even

if it looks official, don’t respond!

Census

Bureau employees will never ask to come into your home. All Census Bureau

employees have a badge that includes their name, photo, U.S. Department of

Commerce watermark and an expiration date. If a person refuses to show this

badge, close the door.

The

Census Bureau will neverinitiate contact with you though email. They

may send you a follow-up email, for example, if your written census response is

hard to read. Official emails and links always will have a census.gov domain

and will be encrypted. Look for “https://” and a lock symbol in the browser

window. If you receive an email claiming to be from the Census Bureau that ends

with “.com,” delete it.

How can I complete the census?

Starting

April 1, you can respond online in English or 12 additional languages,

including American Sign Language. Public access computers, such as at our local

libraries, also will be available for use.

By

mid-April, a paper questionnaire will be mailed to every household which hasn’t

already responded. In mid-May, census takers will be available in-person to

help and will begin

visiting homes that haven’t responded to make sure everyone is counted.

How can I help increase our count?

Census

2020 is a big deal and our community needs your help.

First,

commit to answering the census for your household.

Second,

support the Benton Franklin Complete Count Committee. As a trustworthy source

of information to your employees and customers, you can help to spread the

word. Census education materials are available for businesses, schools, media

and other organizations. Request materials, schedule a quick presentation and

even download resources at bfcensus2020.org. 

To

become a community partner, email BFCountyCensus@uwbfco.org. 

Take

the pledge now to take 10 minutes out of your day to answer the census to help

our community for the next 10 years.

LoAnn Ayers is president and chief

executive officer of United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties. She is a “double-Coug,” having earned

her Master of Business Administration and doctorate from Washington State

University. At the local United Way, she ensures local

resources get maximum benefit to improve lives in our community. She is also

one of the champions for our local census organizing committee.