Roger
Dickinson
A great opportunity is before us all. It is an opportunity shared by every city, neighborhood, household and individual in Sacramento County.
Beginning in March, each of us can play an important role in improving our county by participating in the 2010 census. We are in a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Complete Count Committee. The goal is to have a complete count of who lives in Sacramento County.
As chair of Sacramento County’s 2010 Census Complete Count Committee, I am asking you to look for, complete and return your 2010 census form as soon as it arrives. I ask for your participation because the census provides benefits to our community, state and nation.
At stake is a share of the $400 billion distributed annually throughout the nation. This funding helps to develop education programs, public safety, housing, roads and bridges, job training centers, human and community services. Our community-based organizations use census data to develop social service programs for seniors and children. Businesses use the data to identify where to locate new manufacturing, offices, shopping centers, movie theatres, and banks. All of these activities lead to economic recovery, growth and new jobs.
A complete count ensures that our voice is heard in the state and federal legislatures because census data determines our representation.
From the 2000 census, California gained one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 2010 census, however, California is in danger of losing representation according to the latest population projections.
Each of us matters. A complete count is critical. The loss in funding for government services for just one uncounted person in Sacramento County was estimated at almost $1,000 by the 2000 Census Monitoring Board. The undercount in Sacramento County in 2000 was 13,343 people. That’s a loss of funding for Sacramento County of $13 million per year and more than $130 million in 10 years. We have so much to gain with a complete count.
You should also know that census participation is safe. The information you provide on your census form is confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. Stiff penalties exist for violations of the oath.
The word is getting out. 2010 Census Complete Count Committees have and are being formed to make sure that no one is missed and that all are counted. Television and radio announcements are being broadcast. Our community newspapers, neighborhood fliers, and church bulletins carry this important message. It’s being delivered in several different languages, too. All residents must be counted, including people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens.
The easiest and most efficient method of participating is filling out your form upon its arrival and sending it back in the postage-paid return envelope. Questionnaire Assistance Centers will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form, and a Language Assistance Guide will also be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations.
For those with visual impairments, the Language Assistance Guide will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service can call the TDD number, (866) 783-2010, starting Feb. 25.
The 2010 census is one of our most important civic events. Now, it is up to us to make sure everyone is counted in Sacramento County. Ten questions in 10 minutes are all that is being asked of you. By completing and returning your census form, you are performing an important civic duty and helping to paint a new portrait of America.