The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Census committee looks to raise awareness
Lorainites can expect a flurry of activity to spread the word about the 2020 Census, officials say.
Lorainites can expect a flurry of activity to spread the word about the 2020 Census.
The city’s Complete Count Subcommittee met Feb. 26 to brainstorm about ways to reach residents.
The committee’s message: Stand up and be counted.
Lorain Deputy SafetyService Director Rick Soto led about 20 people discussing ways to contact residents.
The channels of communication will include local government, churches, schools, businesses, veterans groups, social service and nonprofit agencies and news media.
Preparation for the 2020 Census has moved into the “awareness” phase so people know what to expect, Soto said.
He asked the attendees to lead their respective groups and communities by being available to answer questions about the census.
He and Richard Romero, a partner specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, repeated the importance of an accurate and complete citizen response.
Federal agencies use the figures to determine how to spend taxpayer money on a number of programs, Romero said.
News reports about Census data predict Ohio could lose a seat in Congress, Soto said.
Ideas for publicizing the
Census locally ranged from themed T-shirts to local videos to an April 1 Census Day gathering.
The communications will happen soon.
On March 12, Census forms will start arriving in the mail.
By March 20, every household should have the form, called an invitation, to respond online, by mail or telephone.
U.S. Census Bureau staff will count homeless people March 30 to April 1.
The first day in April is Census Day because when people respond to the Census, they are stating where they live on that day.
If residents do not respond, Census workers will visit homes in May and June.
Lorain County already has received attention for the Census efforts.
The county’s Complete Count Committee appears to be the largest in Ohio, Romero said.
Lorain County Community College hosted a visit by U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham.
In a town hall meeting, Dillingham emphasized the importance of having an accurate national headcount.
City pride also is at stake, Soto said, because Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin can challenge each other to have strong citizen responses.
The census advocates have repeated that personal information is secure and the U.S. Census Bureau may not share citizens’ information with law enforcement agencies or landlords.
People also should know Census forms and workers will not ask for Social Security numbers, financial donations, political party affiliation or bank account numbers, Romero said.
Soto acknowledged the Lorain Subcommittee needs assistance finding more business partners.
The next Lorain Complete County Subcommittee meeting starts at 10 a.m., March 11.