The 2020 Census is here, and the stakes for Kentucky could not be higher!
Information from the Kentucky Nonprofits Network: COUNT ME IN KY 2020HEY KENTUCKY - YOUR VOICE COUNTS! Filling out the census helps you, your family, and your community. Census data determines funding for things like school lunches, medical care, educational programs, and improvements for roads and bridges. By taking the census, YOU can help Kentucky get the most funding possible.
TAKING THE CENSUS IS QUICK & EASY. By April 1, you should receive an invitation to take the census. If you are living in the US, you are required by law to take the census. The census will be available to take online, by mail, or by phone. There are only nine questions and it can be completed in about ten minutes. To preview the questions, click here. To complete your census online, click here.
AND, IT'S SAFE & SECURE. In fact, it’s the law that your personal census information cannot and will not be shared with any agency. The census will NOT ask you about your citizenship or immigration status. The census will NOT ask about your income, education level, political party, or Social Security numbers. Your census answers will NOT affect your benefits or immigration status.
What's at stake for Kentucky?
- Did you know that Kentucky stands to lose $2,021 of federal funding per year for the next ten years for EACH PERSON not counted? In light of COVID-19, a complete 2020 Census Count is even more vital. Kentucky cannot afford to leave money on the table!
- Federal Funds: Census data are used by public officials to distribute federal funds for programs like Title l and special education grants; foster care and child care grants; Section 8 housing vouchers; K-12 education; and Head Start/Early Start; SNAP and school lunch; spending on rebuilding roads, highways and bridges; and more. Ultimately, an inaccurate Census count means that hard-to-count populations will rely more heavily on nonprofit organizations for services.
- Political Representation: Historically, the Census in Kentucky has missed many "hard-to-count populations" - disproportionate numbers of racial minorities, immigrants, young children and those living in poverty. This undercount leads to inequality in political influence, government funding and private-sector investment for these communities. The Census is vital to ensuring that our representational democracy is truly representational - determining the number of seats in Congress, boundaries for congressional and statehouse/senate districts and more.
- Public Infrastructure: Government and businesses need census numbers to make good decisions on the location of schools, transportation, and retail.
CENSUS 2020: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- What is the census? It’s a count of every living person in the U.S. and where they reside.
- When does it take place? Households are asked to self-respond online, by phone or by paper March-May 2020. U.S. Census Bureau employees will visit non-responding households May-August 2020.
- What will be asked? You will be asked a few easy questions about your age, gender and how many people live in your home (including children).
Why is it important to be counted? The census determines the following:
- Census data are used by public officials to distribute federal funds for programs such as Title l and special education grants; foster care and child care grants; Section 8 housing vouchers; K-12 education and Head Start/Early Start; SNAP and school lunch; spending on rebuilding roads, highways, and bridges; and more.
- The Census is vital to ensuring that our representational democracy is truly representational – determining Kentucky’s number of seats in Congress, boundaries for congressional and statehouse/senate districts and more.
- Kentucky could lose $2,021 of federal funding PER YEAR FOR 10 YEARS for EACH PERSON not counted. Ultimately, an inaccurate census count means that hard-to-count populations will rely more heavily on nonprofit organizations for services
Who uses census data?
- NONPROFITS To assess community needs, implement effective programs and services, and apply for grant funding
- BUSINESSES To select places to build factories, offices and retail stores—all of which create jobs
- REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS To choose where to build new homes or revive old neighborhoods
- GOVERNMENT To assess community needs, including infrastructure needs such as roads and bridges.
Are responses to the census protected? Responses are safe. In fact, it’s against the law for the Census Bureau to release them to the public.
It’s critical for every Kentuckian to be counted! Consider simple ways your nonprofit can help get the word out.
For information and resources, visit kynonprofits.org/census2020