Hey there SAIL Blog readers! We hope you’ve gotten a chance to take a walk or sit in the sunshine this week!
SAIL Member Pat Kreuger shared the following important information about making sure to get your 2020 census filled out.
A reminder to all SAIL members to respond to the official Census Bureau mail which will arrive at households across the country March 12 – 20. Detailed information will be given on how to respond online, by phone or by mail.
The numbers for this census will determine how much of our states’ share of federal money will return to our state for a large number of programs. It also determines the number of representatives we send to Congress.
The soft deadline for the census was April 1, but if you missed it, you still have time! Go ahead and fill it out and send it back. You’ll get some reminders by mail as well.
You may remember at the Winter Luncheon how Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway mentioned the importance of filling out the census. In addition to helping inform federal, state, local, and tribal governments, here are a few things (from Howstuffworks.com) the census also does that you might not have known:
- Community organizations like SAIL use census information to develop social service programs, community action projects, senior lunch programs, and child care centers. SAIL uses census data to help understand the growing number of senior citizens and recognize our need to be ready!
- Many 911 emergency systems are based on maps developed for the last census. Census information helps health providers predict the spread of diseases through communities with children or elderly people. And when disasters hit, the census tells rescuers how many people will need their help.
- It helps with genealogy research! Although individual records are held confidential for 72 years, you can request a certificate from past censuses that can be used to establish your age, residence or relationship — information that could qualify you for a pension, establish citizenship or obtain an inheritance. (Right now, American children may be using past census information to do their homework.)
So don’t delay! Filling out the census for your household is a quick process. You can fill in the paper census and mail it back, or, if you’d prefer, you can do it online. SAIL has enlisted volunteers to assist you in completing it, so if you need assistance, call us at 608-230-4321 or e-mail info@sailtoday.org. SAIL staff members are working from home, but call forwarding has been set up, so you can use the same phone number as always.
Here are some additional links with resources and interesting information about the census.
Printable page about the census timeline
History of the census
Top ten interesting facts about the census
Why filling out the census is important for women’s’ health
Thanks to Pat Kreuger and all to SAIL volunteers helping with the census for making sure we all get counted!
Independence Through Connections. 