Every 10 years, everyone living in the United States is asked to complete a simple but very important constitutional task: respond to the census. With COVID-19 devastating many New York communities – leaving families worried about their health and that of their loved ones; wondering how they will pay their rent, afford groceries and educate their children – filling out the census may seem unimportant. In fact, the enormous challenges New Yorkers are facing in this crisis underscore the profound importance of having every New Yorker counted so that we are fairly represented in Washington D.C., and receive our fair share of federal resources.
Looking to the future, when the COVID-19 crisis subside, and New York begins to rebuild, 2020 Census data will determine the share of federal money New York receives for the next 10 years. The funding allotted to programs to support early-childhood well-being and family economic security directly determines the number of people who may benefit. Families’ participation in the census is the link to funding for food assistance, Head Start, childcare, housing support, public schools, early intervention services, children’s health insurance, and more. The Census also determines political representation in Congress, the state legislature, and local government.
Among the groups most commonly undercounted: young children. We are working with NY Counts 2020 and Citizen’s Committee for Children to make it easy for our partners who work directly with families to get out the word about the importance of the census and how to fill out the census. We have cataloged resources for you to send, developed a short newsletter for your next publication and have provided websites and links to make getting counted easy. (links in this paragraph)
Now, more than ever, let’s work together to ensure all New Yorkers are counted, including our young children.
On March 9, 2020, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA) and the Council for Children and Families (CCF) held a webinar, #CountAllKids: Resources for the 2020 Census. With over 30 attendees, the webinar was led by Cate Bohn, the Executive Director of CCF, and Matilda Gragg, SCAA’s AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow. The webinar addressed the importance of counting all kids in the 2020 Census, tools available to educate staff and families about the Census, and where to find materials and educational resources.
Children obtain a strong political representation when counted in the Census. The more number of children counted, the more federal funding for programs that affect social determinants of health, such as Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and child care. A complete count ensures a better distribution of funds to where they are needed most: low-income schools, special education, and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Numerous groups, organizations, and agencies are reaching out to parents and families to ensure all kids are counted. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is encouraging pediatrics to be a source to families for information and education on the 2020 Census. Pediatricians are encouraged to ask parents if they have filled out the Census form for their children, starting at the newborn visit. They are also distributing educational resources, such as factsheets for parents and coloring pages for children. Pediatric health care providers are asked to be sensitive to immigrants’ fears and concerns of being counted in the Census, and to reach out to historically undercounted poor, urban, and minority communities in which they may work. These providers are reassuring immigrants and other concerned parents these Census answers are confidential and will not be used against them in any way.
Amidst the current uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, parents can find comfort in knowing they don’t have to leave home to fill out the Census. New Yorkers can complete the Census online at my2020census.govor on the phone by calling 844-330-2020.
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