Update Presented by Update Presented by Neighborhood Services DivisionNeighborhood Services Division

Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commissioners April 6, 2010April 6, 2010

Census 2010…Census 2010…IT’S IN OUR HANDS!IT’S IN OUR HANDS!

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach• Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach• Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Census OverviewCensus Overview

• Requirement of the United States Constitution

• Population counted every ten years

• Count of households as of April 1, 2010

Census OverviewCensus Overview

Impact on Orange County• Federal and state funding for

services and programs

• Impacts funding of roads, schools, parks, housing

• Used by businesses, churches, and nonprofits to determine service areas

• Political representation

Census OverviewCensus Overview

• 2007-2008 Initial Preparations• Oct. 2008 Complete Count

Committee Established• 2008-2009 Local address

verification• April 1, 2009 Local Campaign kickoff

Census Timeline

Census OverviewCensus Overview

2010– January Census Campaign

kickoff– March Census forms mailed– April Census takers

released– July Tabulation period– December Totals due to US

President

Census Timeline

Census OverviewCensus Overview

Census Facts• $1 per person in advertising costs• Children 5 and under frequently missed• Only 10 questions on the form• Questionnaire available in six languages• 870,000 workers hired to conduct census• $1.5 million could be saved if everyone

mailed the form back

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach • Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Local Outreach Complete Count Committee

• Created by BCC Resolution

• Informal Committee - grassroots

• Diverse citizen representation

Local OutreachComplete Count Committee

• Mobilizes community organizations

• Monitors progress of returns by census tract or block group

• Promotes census job opportunities

Local OutreachOutreach Activities

• Billboards• Radio advertisements• Lynx Bus advertisement

Local OutreachOutreach Activities

• Project Homeless Connect• Website

Local OutreachOutreach Activities

• Utility Bill Stuffers• Festivals and parades

Local OutreachOutreach Activities

• Neighborhood Canvassing

Presentation Outline Presentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach Program• Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Census Process

• Advanced census lettersFebruary 15 – March 15

• Census forms released March 15 – April 12

• Reminder census lettersApril - May

• Census takers canvassApril - July

Census Process

• Be Counted Sites– Currently 31 sites– Obtain questionnaires– Cannot accept returns– March 19 – April 19

• Questionnaire Assistance Centers– Individualized help– Many languages

Census Process

• All forms geocoded• Addresses linked to

geographic areas• Wrong addresses will be

followed up by census taker

Presentation Outline Presentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach Program• Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Participation Rates

• United States 60%• Florida 57%• Orange County52%(rates as of 4/5/10)

Participation Rates

• Forms still being mailed• April 1 target date• Reluctant participants• Expect to be near 70%

Presentation Outline Presentation Outline

• Census Overview• Local Outreach• Census Process• Participation Rates• Next Steps

Next Steps

• Continue Outreach• Census takers released• BCC Update

Update Presented by Update Presented by Neighborhood Services DivisionNeighborhood Services Division

Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commissioners April 6, 2010April 6, 2010

Census 2010…Census 2010…ITS IN OUR HANDS!ITS IN OUR HANDS!