 The Census is Almost Here! Time to Start Looking for Your 2020 Census Invitation.
Households across Montana should begin receiving their initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in the mail between March 12-20. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you'll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online (Group A) or an invitation to respond online along with a paper questionnaire (Group B).
What households will receive between March 12- 20:
Letter Invitation Group: Group A
Invitation letter
Language assistance sheet
Outgoing package envelope
Letter Invitation and Paper Questionnaire Group: Group B
Invitation letter
Language assistance sheet
2020 Census informational questionnaire
Business reply envelope - West
Outgoing package envelope
Households that have mail sent to a post office box (P.O box) will not receive a mailing. Instead, a packet (Group B) will be hung on the household door.
Every household that hasn't already responded will continue to receive additional reminders from March 16-April 18. If a household does not self-respond to the questionnaire, a U.S. Census Bureau employee will come to the door to collect the household's 2020 response starting in early May.
For more information on the U.S. Census Bureau's Mail Strategies click HERE.
 Final Opportunity to Sign Up to Become a "Be Counted" Site
JUST RELEASED
The State Complete Count Committee has just released a "Be Counted" site guidebook for partners who have already signed up to become a "Be Counted" site for the 2020 Census. Click HERE to view the guide. Partners can expect a toolkit with this guide including a yard sign and some promotional material. The toolkits will be mailed this week.
Become a "Be Counted" Site
With the Census count beginning this week, 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. "Be Counted" sites provide readily accessible locations for the public to respond to the 2020 Census. The purpose of setting up sites is to give those without access to internet or phone an opportunity to self-respond to the 2020 Census.
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 Wi-Fi.
- 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.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Complete Count for Montana
- Promote my2020census.gov and 1-844-330-2020 beginning in mid-March for people to go to fill out their Census form online or by phone.
- 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 12 a t 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 12-20: 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: In some parts of Montana, 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
Montana among growing number of states to use redistricting reforms after 2020 census - Billings Gazette
Free, private computer offered by City for Census registration - Cut Bank Pioneer
2020 Census in Teton County to start in mid-March - Choteau Acantha
Census 2020: be counted - Valley Journal
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.
Jeri Bucy
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
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
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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