9 QUESTIONS THAT WILL IMPACT THE NEXT 10 YEARS

The Census will directly impact our communities every day for the next ten years – it determines the allocation of nearly 7 Billion dollars a year for federal programs that serve children, communities, and families, and it determines our congressional districts and number of representatives, directly impacting our power and access to fair representation. We created VOICE – Voicing Our Information for Census Equity – the Urban League of Louisiana’s umbrella initiative to encourage a successful 2020 Census response rate, especially for the African-American community and other communities of color with special attention to families with young children and opportunity youth.

COMPLETE THE 2020 CENSUS NOW!

GO TO:

NEED HELP COMPLETING THE CENSUS?

For official information visit:

https://2020census.gov/

Call the Census Questionnaire Assistance hotlines if you need help completing your form:

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For additional language assistance and resources visit:

https://2020census.gov/en/languages.html

CENSUS IMPACT

Increase in Federal Funding Per Person Counted

Funding Louisiana Loses Per Year Due to Undercount

Projected Loss in Program Funds Due to 1% Undercount

Calculations by Partnership for America’s Children/Count All Kids.

Census Facts

The census is a self-portrait of the nation.  The U.S. Constitution requires the federal government count everyone living in the country every 10 years.  The tally must include people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups; all citizens and non-citizens.  Every household should complete a census form (either online, or by mail or phone) by April 1, 2020.  Participating in the census is our right and responsibility.

Why does the census matter?

Census data shape the future of our community and define our VOICE in Congress.

  • The 2020 Census will determine how more than $700 billion in federal government resources will be distributed each year for the next decade to states and localities.
  • Census data is used to determine where schools, roads, hospitals, childcare centers, senior centers and other services should be built.
  • Critical federal programs rely on data and allocations derived from the census, including: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare Part B, Highway Planning and Construction, Section 8, Special Education Grants (IDEA), State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Head Start.
  • Census data are also used for apportionment of Congressional seats and redistricting at all levels of government.
  • Census data are indispensable for monitoring discrimination and the enforcement of a broad range of civil rights laws.

When and how do I complete my 2020 Census Form?

It is very easy.  In March 2020, every household began receiving a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions to visit their website.  Upon logging onto the Bureau’s website, each household fills out a simple 9-question form that  can be completed in about 10 minutes.

  • Every person, including all children, residing in the household needs to be included. As long as a person stays at the home most of the time, they should be counted at that household.
  • The information that will need to be provided is basic information we give out every day: name, relationship to head of household, gender, age, birthday, Hispanic origin and race, and status as a home owner or renter.
  • If a household does not respond, the Census Bureau will mail a pap2er census form.
  • Other options for completing the form via telephone or mail will be available. Individuals can call 888-839-8632 for more information.
  •  Completing a census form early is the best way to avoid having an enumerator visit your home.

Will my information be kept confidential?

  • Yes. Under the law, Census data can only be used for statistical purposes. Title 13 of the U.S. Code requires respondent’s information to be kept confidential and guarantees personal information will not be used against respondents in court or by a government agency.
  • Personal census information cannot be disclosed for 72 years (including names, addresses, and telephone numbers).
  • Census Bureau staff who have access to personal information are sworn for life to protect confidentiality and are subject to a $250,000 fine and/or up to five years in federal prison for wrongful disclosure of information.
RESOURCES

The following resources are meant to be used and shared by anyone helping to provide awareness and education about the 2020 Census. All are welcome to utilize the materials, videos, and links to help our communities prepare for the 2020 Census.

Spanish

Vietnamese

English

More

Visit our YouTube Channel for All Videos

TOOLKITS

To view our two special Social Media Toolkits, click here and here.

ENGLISH 3-UP PUSH CARD
“General Census Info“

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

ENGLISH TAKE ACTION CARD
“General Census Info“

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

ENGLISH FLYER
“General Census Info“

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

ENGLISH QUARTER PAGE CARD
“Count Your Kids”

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

SPANISH QUARTER PAGE CARD
“Cuente a Sus Hijos“

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

ENGLISH POSTER
“Count Your Kids”

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

SPANISH POSTER
“Cuente a Sus Hijos“

(Click on links below to download)

(Click on links below to download)

HBCU 2020 CENSUS CHALLENGE!

On April 9th, all six HBCUs in Louisiana came together for the Urban League’s HBCU Census Challenge Tele-Town Hall. Each of the University Presidents shared how the 2020 Census impacts their campuses and communities and our partners at Fair Count, Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit Census effort, provided data on how a predicted undercount of African Americans would impact the state of Louisiana. Urban League’s HBCU student interns provided critical information on why the 2020 Census in important, especially to students and shared a call to action for HBCU to continue to encourage students and campus community to post a video or picture on social media of them completing their census and tag #ULLA_VOICE and their campus :
#XULACensusChallenge, #DUCensusChallenge, #SUNOCensusChallenge, #SUBRCensusChallenge, #SUSLACensusChallenge, #GSUCensusChallenge

OUR EFFORTS

When it comes to the 2020 Census, we’ve been busy!

Last year, the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA) launched an initiative to capture a complete count. The VOICE (Voicing Our Information for Census Equity) initiative has been diligently working to encourage a successful 2020 Census response rate, especially for the African-American community and other communities of color.

Why? Because being counted determines how much funding we receive for critical services like jobs, housing, healthcare, and education as well as our political representation.

Simply put – when we are not counted, we do not get our fair share.

VOICE is excited to share the variety of strategies we’re implementing including strategic partnerships, leveraging trusted voices, data, and real-time action.

Strategies for Ensuring a Complete Count

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Over 800 people across the state have been engaged through trainings and awareness sessions including community members, non-profits, churches, social service agencies, HBCUs, and others.

DATA AND MAPS

Through a partnership with local trusted experts at The Data Center, ULLA has leveraged data to drive mobilization efforts. Maps have been created to identify locations to focus a boots on the ground strategy for the greatest impact.

COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEES

With over 40 organizations engaged in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, ULLA’s two complete count committees are utilizing trusted messengers and the knowledge of local communities to ensure a successful response rate

VOICE INTERNSHIP

ULLA has hired eight VOICE interns to support outreach, education and participation in the 2020 Census. The internship includes leading an HBCU Challenge to get the word out on the importance of being counted

TARGETED OUTREACH TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

ULLA is working closely with four partners that have extensive networks and influence in the historically-undercounted LatinX and immigrant communities in the New Orleans area. As trusted voices, each partner organization is working with ULLA to share accurate information, spread awareness and key messages.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:

  • The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana

  • Our Voice Nuestra Voz

  • Puentes New Orleans

  • Free Alas

Community Outreach and Events

Urban League Float in the Bayou Classic Parade

Canvassing during Schools Expo

Social Media Outreach

Giveaways

Complete Count Committee

 ULLA convenes two VOICE Complete Count Committees to ensure a complete and accurate count of frequently undercounted populations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans by engaging trusted messengers, identifying motivating messages and facilitating the completion of the Census form in 2020 in frequently undercounted households and communities. The committees have been shaped to include trusted voices to utilize the knowledge of our local community to encourage a successful 2020 Census response rate, especially for the African American community and other communities of color with special attention to families with young children and opportunity youth (16-24 year olds who are not in school and not working). Subcommittees work to identify trusted messengers for each target population, equip them with the knowledge, messaging and outreach materials needed to motivate their community members to participate in the 2020 Census. They also use their networks and relationships to disseminate information and ensure that their partners and the individuals that they serve are aware of the Census and understand what their children, families and communities gain or lose if they do or do not complete the form.

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