 9 Questions Determine the Next 10 Years for Montana
The 2020 Census will ask only nine simple questions which will take less than 10 minutes to fill out. This 10 minutes of your time determines Montana's representation, funding, and data for the next 10 years. Census data is confidential, so your answers cannot be shared by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The 2020 Census will ask for the following information:
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Number of people at address: This question is asked to provide an accurate count of the number of people at each address on Census Day, April 1, 2020. This gives a snapshot of various communities across the state and the nation.
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Any additional people living or staying there: This question is asked to ensure everyone living at the address is counted once, only once, and in the right place.
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Owner/Renter: This question is asked to create statistics about home ownership and renters. Home ownership rates help serve as an indicator of the nation's economy and help in administering housing programs and informing planning decisions.
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Phone Number: A phone number is requested in the unlikely case the U.S. Census Bureau needs to contact you for official Census business. If you get a call, be sure to verify that the caller is a Census employee.
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Name: Names are asked to ensure everyone in the household is counted only once and having names helps Census workers remove duplicated responses.
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Sex: Sex is asked for to create statistics about males and females and ensure that government funded programs fairly and equitably serve the needs of both sexes.
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Age and date of birth: This question is asked to understand the size of different age groups. Local, state, tribal, and federal agencies use age data to plan and fund government assistance and services for specific age groups such as children, working-age adults, or seniors. The information also helps enforce laws, regulations, and policies against age discrimination.
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Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin: The data collected in this question is needed by federal agencies to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions. The information, along with race data, is also used to gauge educational opportunities, assess equal employment practices, and ensure equal access to healthcare for everyone.
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Race: Race data is used in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for specific groups. This data is also used to evaluate government programs and policies to ensure that they are fairly and equitably serve the needs of all racial groups.
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Relationship: Local, state, and tribal governments and federal agencies use relationship data to plan and fund government programs serving families, people living or raising children alone, grandparents living with grandchildren, or other households that qualify for additional assistance.
A sample form of the 2020 Census form can be viewed, HERE.
A flyer with this information can be downloaded, HERE.
SHARED SUCCESS ON CENSUS PROMOTION IN MONTANA
State Complete Count Committee (CCC)
The State CCC has just launched its third PSA where Montana students share the importance of filling out the Census in new TV and radio PSAs. This is the final educational PSA that will be released before the "Fill Out Your Form" spot gets released in mid-March. Watch the video, HERE.
Montana Libraries
Montana libraries have been a tremendous partner in helping obtain a complete count for the 2020 census. Libraries across the state have volunteered to become "Be Counted" sites for the 2020 Census and the Montana State Library has also developed a toolkit, webinars, and training which can be downloaded HERE.
Montana State University (MSU)
MSU has recently launched its Census website with their "Cats Count" campaign where students can go to obtain information on the upcoming Census and find out how the count affects universities. Check it out, HERE.
Montana Schools, U.S. Census Bureau, and State CCC
March 2-6 is “Census Statistics in Schools” Week. This week-long series of fun classroom activities provided by the U.S. Census Bureau's Statistics in Schools (SIS) program is designed to educate students about the importance of the once-a-decade count. As a key part of this week, the U.S. Census Bureau is asking every teacher in the country to distribute the SIS take-home flyer to every student in their school on the final day of SIS Week, March 6. This flyer, available in English and 12 additional languages, explains to adults the importance of the 2020 Census and how to count every child in their home.
To assist Montana’s schools in educating students and parents on the 2020 Census, the State CCC mailed Census toolkits to every school statewide. All schools will receive posters, fact sheets, rack cards, a Statistics in Schools brochure, and K- 6 schools will receive a Census Activity book. Samples of the materials can be downloaded HERE.
Have Census success to share? Email Cassidy.blanton@mt.gov for a chance to be published in the next newsletter.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Complete Count for Montana
- Promote my2020census.gov beginning in mid-March for people to go to fill out their Census form.
- Get involved with your community’s Complete Count Committee (CCC). CCC's are volunteer committees established within communities to increase awareness and motivate the public to respond to the 2020 Census. A map of CCC's in Montana can be found HERE.
- Ask public facilities (libraries, senior centers, county health offices, etc.) to become a "Be Counted" location. To view the current “Be Counted” sites click HERE.
- Place 2020 Census information in areas where people congregate (supermarkets, restaurants, health clubs, schools, etc.) To request free materials be mailed to you contact us HERE.
- Talk about the Census and become a trusted voice on the importance of a complete count. As a community member that people trust, your support of the 2020 Census can help other people see the benefit of filling out their 2020 Census form.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 4 at 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.: Blackfeet Tribe Manpower Event at the Stickgame Arbor. This event is open to the public and includes a community feed, promotional items, door prizes, and information about the upcoming 2020 Census.
March 12 at noon: Bi-weekly Census webinar. This brief webinar is a chance to get Census updates, learn about activities across the state, ask questions, and brainstorm with others about Census promotional ideas. Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2496874762699378699
Mid-March: All Montana public K-12 schools should begin looking for their Census and Schools packet from the State Complete Count Committee. Educators please keep your eyes open for these items and help Montana's children obtain a complete count of all children for their future
March 12 - 31: Montana households will begin receiving official Census Bureau materials with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. Watch for a postcard to be mailed to you or left in a packet along with the Census form on your front door.
March 30 - April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days.
April 1: Census Day!
Throughout April: Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and other group facilities for those who live in common housing areas among large groups of people.
May - July: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
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IN THE NEWS
Press Release: Montana Student Share the Importance of Filling Out the Census in New Radio, TV, PSA
Press Release: Governor Bullock and Little Shell Leaders Prepare for First Census
Census sites needed, businesses sign up
Valley Journal
Tribal Council encourages employees to consider part time census job
Char-Koosta News
BBB warns about 2020 Census scams
KTVH
Bullock meets Little Shell leaders to discuss 2020 Census
Great Falls Tribune
Little Shell Chippewa Tribe says Census results will be crucial for funding
KRTV
Make it count: the 2020 Census
Independent Record
Sign Up to Become a "Be Counted" Site
With the 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. Hours of operation will be determined by the site.
- 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 have taken a lifetime oath of confidentiality which is 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 to our state. 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 QUESTIONS ABOUT 2020 CENSUS OPERATIONS AND ENUMERATION?
To be routed to your local U.S. Census Bureau office Call
855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter your zip code.
Reach Out to a Montana Census 2020 Partnership Specialist.
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
For Media Requests Please Contact:
Josh Manning
Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
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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