The Importance of Counting Everyone in Border

Communities in Census 2010

Census 2010

• What is Census 2010• Why is it so important?• Hard-to-Count populations• Border Communities Count Campaign• Important messages• Resources• What we can do

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 2

Frontera Asset Building Network

• A coalition of 80+ organizations • Southwest Border of the United States• Helping working families

increase their income stabilize their financial lives build wealth

Frontera Asset Building Network www.fabnetwork.org 3

2010 Census

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone residing in the United States

Everyone regardless of citizenship must be counted

April 1, 2010 is Census Day

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 4

How People are Counted

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 5

Step 1: March 2010 households receive Census form either by mail or in person.

Step 2: March-April 1 households complete the form & mail it back.

Step 3: April 1, 2010 is Census Day. Responses on the form should include everyone living at an address.

Step 4: April-July follow-up. Those who haven’t responded will be visited by a Census worker.

Step 5: Dec 31, 2010 the final results will be sent to the President.

You may not know…

• 4:1 - rate at which Latinos were more likely to be missed in Census 2000

• $478 million - the estimated amount of net federal funds lost to states from 2002-2012 due to undercounting in the 2000 Census

• $1,200 to $2,200 per person – approximate federal funding Border communities currently receive related to 2000 Census count

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 6

Important Reasons for Ensuring an Accurate Count in Your Community

Consequences of undercounting are significant Federal funding Voting rights Economic development & private investment Community services & infrastructure Data for decisions

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 7

Border Area Population is Hard-to-Count

Many populations at high risk of not being counted: Immigrants Undocumented persons Families with young children Families with mixed legal status Transient or displaced families, such as homeless

people, foreclosure victims, and migrant workers Isolated communities - rural, colonias & Native

American reservationswww.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 8

Hard-to-Count Counties

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 9

Census maps out strategy to count hardest-to-get residents. USA TODAY 10-20-09

Hard-to-Count Counties Southwest Border Region

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 10

Adapted from Census Map USA TODAY 10-20-09

California

Arizona

New Mexico

Texas

In These Hard-to-Count Populations

• Trust issues• Mistrust of government agencies• Fear• Language as a barrier• Tentative about filling out forms• Worried about where the information goes

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 11

Being Counted is Easy

• It’s important• It’s easy• It’s safe

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 12

It’s Easy

• 10 questions – 10 minutes• In Spanish & English• Community-based Census Assistance Centers

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 13

10 questions – 10 minutes

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 14

It’s Safe

• Completely confidential • Individual information is safe & strongly

protected by law• Census Bureau staff cannot share information

with anyone including federal & law enforcement entities

• Stiff penalties for a breach

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 15

Some Important Messages

• Everyone counts • It’s vital to participate in Census 2010• The Census is important for your community• Benefits• Community impact

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 16

How Census Data Benefits Us

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 17

From U.S. Census Bureau’s Toolkit for Reaching Latinos

Some Important Messages

• It’s vital to participate in Census 2010• The Census is important for your community• Benefits• Community impact• Safety• Confidentiality• Ease

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 18

By participating in the Census, you can help create a better future for you & those important to you.

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 19

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 20

• Ensure a complete, accurate & just count in southwest Border communities

• Partner & collaborate with national, regional & local groups

• Reach those at high risk of not being counted

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 21

Border Communities Count Resources

• Website Census resources Small grants Outreach strategies News & updates

• Twitter• Webinars & trainings• Technical assistance

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 22

FABN Small Grants

• Deadline Dec 15, 2009• Census outreach for hard-to-count groups• Southwest Border states• Up to $3,000• 501c3 organizations• Be an official Census partner • Overlay outreach activities on existing programs• Complete all activities by March 30, 2010

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 23

U.S. Census Bureau Resources

• Website• Become a Partner• Complete Count Committee • Toolkits

Latinos Immigrants Migrant Workers

• Questionnaire Assistance Centers

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 24

U.S. Census Partnership Sites

Denver 720-475-3670

Los Angeles 818-717-5820

Dallas214-637-9680

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 25

Southwest Border States

Census Bureau1-866-928-2010 Spanish assistance

NALEO’s Ya Es Hora Campaign

• Website• How to Complete the Cenus Form

Step-by-step guide

• Toolkits• Spanish/English information

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 26

Nonprofits Count

• Website• Census Toolkit for Nonprofits• Fact Sheets

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 27

Indian Country Counts

• Website• Toolkit for Tribes• Cool T-shirts• Webinars & videos• News & updates• Discussion boards

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 28

Other National & Regional Resources

• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights• California Complete Count• League of Women Voters• Asian American Justice Center• LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens)

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 29

Our Biggest Resource

• The trusted voices of grassroots nonprofit & other community-based groups

• Directly connecting with residents

• Collaborating with you

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 30

What You Can Do

• Join the Border Community Counts initiative! • Stay updated with our Enews & Twitter• Become a US Census Partner• Connect with local Complete Count Committee• Explore existing resources• Get active

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 31

Outreach Strategies

• Put information about the Census in newsletters & Enews• Place links to US Census & other resources on your web site• Host information events• Partner with regional & local groups to get the word out• Find ways to add Census outreach & education to your

existing programs• Distribute information to all your contacts & clients – email,

fliers, paycheck stuffers etc• Ask volunteers & staff to get the word out• Talk to local media about covering the Census• Get involved in big or small wayswww.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 32

We all need to act together to make sure the Border region is counted fairly & accurately

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 33

Thank You for Participating

LET’S MAKE

Maria MarkhamFrontera Asset Building NetworkCensus 2010 Coordinatorinfo@fabnetwork.org202-486-8813 Follow FABN online:Website | Census Information | Twitter | E-news

Building strong financial futures for working families in the Southwest Border

www.fabnetwork.org Frontera Asset Building Network 34