 CENSUS STORY OF THE WEEK
Who Should Be Counted in Montana and Where?
It is crucial that the U.S. Census Bureau counts everyone in the right place during the 2020 Census. The Census is meant to be a snapshot of the country on April 1, 2020 - Census Day. People should be counted at their “usual residence” which is defined as the place where a person lives and sleeps most of the time. This place is not necessarily the same as the person’s voting residence or legal residence.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people should be counted at a residence if the:
- Live or stay at the residence most of the time; OR
- Stayed there on April 1, 2010 and had no permanent place to live; OR
- Stay at the residence more time than any other place they might live or stay.
People like college students, transient households, and seasonal populations (i.e. snow birds) are considered high-risk populations because they may not fill out the form as a Montana resident. It is critical that we get the word out about being counted in Montana for Montana.
SHARED SUCCESS ON CENSUS PROMOTION IN MONTANA
State Complete Count Committee (CCC)
The State CCC has begun the process of sending out toolkits to over 100 local CCC’s. For more ideas on how to use the promotional items in the toolkit click HERE. The State CCC will host its first bi-weekly Census webinar on Thursday, January 30 at 12 p.m.. Everyone is invited to join and get the latest updates with a chance to ask any questions you may have. A link to join will be posted in next week's newsletter.
Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA)
MNA is offering micro-grant of up to $5,00 to fund your organization’s Census work. Applications will be available on MNA’s website starting January 24. The deadline to apply is May 15. Awards will be given on a first- come-first-serve basis, so don’t delay in applying. Lean more on their upcoming webinar HERE.
MSU Nursing Program
MSU’s Nursing program will be training February 18 in Billings with the U.S. Census Bureau to learn how to get out the count. To learn more about how MSU Nursing students are assisting with the census click HERE.
Montana Census 2020 at Legislative Week
The Legislative Council and the Legislative Finance Committee are sponsoring a Legislative Week this January 13-17. All legislators will be in Helena for training and interim committee meetings. On Tuesday and Wednesday, a Census table will be set up and staffed, when all legislators are scheduled to attend training sessions.
Missoula Complete Count Committee (CCC)
Missoula’s CCC has established a full work plan with the U.S. Census Bureau that they are in the process of launching with the help of a student intern who is working 10 hours a week.
If your CCC needs to get in contact with one of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Montana Partnership Specialists their contact information is listed below:
Chance Gillette - Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Chance.j.gillette@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-850-0199
Jihan Khalaf - Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Colleen M. McCarthy - Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Colleen.M.McCarthy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2226
Jeri Bucy - Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
Josh Manning - Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
Have Census success to share email Cassidy.blanton@mt.gov for a chance to be published in the next newsletter.
CENSUS OUTREACH IDEAS
 Add a Census logo to your email signature
Personal email signatures can provide a serious outreach opportunity. You’re most likely already using your own email signature to provide information about who you are and where you work, but you can help obtain a complete count for Montana by adding a Montana Census 2020 Banner provided HERE to your email signature. Or you can add Montana Census 2020 logos or U.S. Census Bureau’s logos to your existing email signature. Adding Census 2020 material to your email signature is a great way to spread awareness and facilitate trust in filling out the form.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January 13-17: Legislative Week at the Capitol - Helena
January 16: Leadership Montana - Helena
January 22-24: MABA/MEGA – Great Falls
January 30: Bi-weekly Census webinar - Details coming soon!
February 10-13: MACO Winter Conference - Great Falls
April 1: Census Day!
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CENSUS IN THE NEWS
U.S. Census jobs still available in Montana KRTV
Montana view: Census is very important to Montana Montana View
The 2020 census is on the way. Here’s what to expect USA TODAY
Sign Up to Become a "Be Counted" Site
With Census count beginning in mid-March, there are ways you can assist in obtaining a complete count for Montana. Since the 2020 Census will be available online and by phone for the first time, one of the best ways to help is by signing up to become a “Be Counted” site.
To become a “Be Counted” location you will need to have:
- A building that the public and people with disabilities can access such as a business, organization headquarters, or community center where computers, tablets, or phones will be available for community members to use to fill out their form.
- Password protected WiFi.
- Your location will need to be available from mid-March until early May.
- The location does not need to be staffed, but if you choose to staff your site remember that only Census Bureau employees can assist people with filling out their form because they offer confidentiality protected by law.
Click HERE to sign up to become a 2020 Be Counted location. We have an interactive map of "Be Counted" sites around the state, get your location added to the map and have promotional material mailed to you by signing up.
Sharing Montana 2020 Census material on your social media page is a great way to spread the word about the importance of the Census. The State CCC has made social media graphics that you can share directly from our Facebook page or download from our website and distribute. A few examples are shown below.
HAVE YOUR CENSUS EVENTS AND NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Do you have a Census event coming up? Have you been working on community outreach? Or have success you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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