Today I am reaching out to all our residents with two important notifications. #1 - One is to let you know that the 2020 Census Takers will be in our neighborhoods beginning August 11th through October 31st to contact those who have not responded and #2 to remind and encourage those of you who have not responded to take the time now and either respond online, or by phone.
To say the least, this has been and continues to be a challenging year. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a new normal with increased responsibility placed on each of us to protect the health and safety of our families, friends and community; face masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing. While adapting to ‘the new normal’ we still have all the other life commitments to maintain. I understand how some days aren’t long enough to get everything done, or the ‘to do list’ is never ending and some things slip through the cracks. The Census is a very important resident responsibility that occurs every 10 years. And yes, even with a pandemic, the Census still must occur. The dates for completion have been slightly extended, and that is why I felt it was important to reach out to you now.
WHY IS THE CENSUS IMPORTANT?
School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day:
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
Census results affect planning and funding for healthcare—including programs such as Medicaid, Medicare Part B, State Children’s Health Insurance, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
The list goes on, but enough to say that every community, no matter the size is impacted by our responses.
And while you are required by law to participate, the Census Bureau is also required by law to protect your answers. Your responses are used only to produce statistics. The Census Bureau does not disclose any personal information.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVEN’T RESPONDED?
There is still time, If you respond online or by phone today, a census taker is less likely to have to visit your home to collect your response.
You can complete the questionnaire online or by phone by calling (844)330-2020 (or check here for additional language numbers).
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T RESPOND?
Census Takers will begin working in our neighborhoods contacting the residents that have not responded beginning August 15 through October 31st.
What To Expect
Census takers will wear masks and follow local public health guidelines when they visit your home. All census takers complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing and other health and safety protocols before beginning their work in neighborhoods.
Census takers are hired from your area, and their goal is to help you and everyone in your home be counted in the 2020 Census. If the census taker who visits your home does not speak your language, you may request a return visit from a census taker who does speak your language.
If no one is home when the census taker visits, the census taker will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail.
If you respond online or by phone today, a census taker is less likely to have to visit your home to collect your response.
How Can You Verify That Someone Is a Census Taker?
If someone visits your home this year to collect information for the 2020 Census, check to make sure they have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the census Bureau logo.
Please see the 2020 Census website that will show you pictures of Census Bureau logos and equipment the Census Taker will have.
Thank you all. I leave you with an additional message:
Stay Safe in Willowbrook with the 3 W’s: Watch your distance, Wear a face mask(properly)and Wash your hands…..And Remember, Complete the Census, We All Count!