Census 2020: Count all kids

In our communities, every person counts. When we miss a young child in the Census, our communities lose out on funding for that child for the next 10 years.

Making sure our children get their fair share

A major way our communities get money for child and family programs is by participating in the U.S. Census, which occurs once every 10 years. The  state and federal government use Census data to fund important services including early childhood education, free and low-cost school meals, child care and NJ Family Care.

New Jersey receives a total of $22.7 billion annually in federal funding based on data from the 2010 Census. In New Jersey, 27,000 children (5.2%) under age 5 were missed by the 2010 Census. If children are underrepresented in the Census count in 2020, it will result in less funding for important public services.

New Jersey received a total of $22.7 billion annually in federal funding based on data from the 2010 Census for important programs like:

NJ Family Care: $9.6 Billion

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): $ 1.2 Billion

Section 8 Housing Vouchers: $741 Million

Special Education Grants: $370 Million

National School Lunch Program: $261 Million

Head Start: $164 Million

WIC: $151 Million

Child Care: $120 Million

Participation in the Census is safe, confidential and only takes about 10 minutes. Everyone should include their children on the census to ensure their communities receive their fair share for local schools, medical care and child care. Please share this information with your family and friends; it is important that everyone is informed.

Here is how the Census works:

1. In March 2020, you will get a Census invitation in the mail.
2. Follow the instructions on the invitation to compete the Census survey online or over the phone.
3. You may wait to receive a paper form in the mail if you prefer to respond on paper. If you do not complete the Census by the end of April, a Census official will come to your home to help you fill out the survey.

For more information, please see: http://www.census202nj.org.

Are my answers confidential?

Yes. By federal law, your responses cannot be shared with anyone outside the Census Bureau. That includes all police, governments and individuals. No one can use your Census information to reduce your benefits, evict you, deport you or fine you.

What does the Census ask?

Just the basics. The questionnaire will ask for your name, age, date of birth, race/ethnicity, relationship to other people in the home and whether you rent or own your home.

What if my child is a baby or was just born-do I list him or her on the Census?

Yes. Please list your baby no matter how old, even if you are still in the hospital!

I have kids living with me who aren’t mine-do I list them?

Yes. You should count every child who is living at your address, even if only temporarily.

My child doesn’t live with me all the time-do I list him or her?

It depends. Whomever your child lives with most of the time should count your child. If time is split evenly, the child should be counted wherever they stay on April 1, 2020.

How does it take?

About 10 minutes.

Make sure you are counted so that your community receives the funding and services it deserves. For information and assistance, call NALEO Educational Fund’s bilingual toll free hotline: 1-877-EL-CENSO (352-3676).

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the US Census pamphlet and I give them full credit for this information. Please be on the lookout for this information in 2020.