 Fill a Pothole - Highway funding and the 2020 Census
As the fourth-largest state in the country, Montana has 70,000 miles of highway to maintain. Your response to the Census means Montana will get its fair share of funding for building and maintaining roads, highways, bridges, public transportation and more.
In FY 2016 alone, Montana received $441 million for highway planning and construction and over $11 million for transit funding based on Census figures. For the next decade, the 2020 Census will also determine the allocation of gas taxes between incorporated cities and counties (MCA15-70-101). The Census information also helps planners track how economic and community changes are affecting local and state costs related to roads, highways, and bridges.
With the Census Bureau staff not resuming field operations until June, the Montana Complete Count Committee is working with partners to encourage all households to self-respond. You can do your part by making sure your family, friends and neighbors have completed the 2020 Census at My2020Census.gov.
 Filling out the Census as a Family – Daniels County Schools
With schools closed and families guiding schoolwork at home, Daniels County is using completing the 2020 Census as online learning exercise families can do with their school-age children. Today’s students are comfortable on the web. By filling out the Census online as a family, students can help parents navigate and complete the form on the secure My2020Census.gov site while parents and grandparents provide the information.
With estimates that for every Montanan counted the state receives almost $20,000 back in allocated federal funding, this exercise means that these families will continue to see the impact for a decade. Most of Daniels County did not receive Census materials inviting households to fill out the form, so working through the schools is a terrific way to get out the information, provide a civic learning experience, and increase the self-response rate.
Reminder - the U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release anyone’s responses in a way that could identify a person or household.
Census “Household Pulse Survey” to Measure COVID-19 Impacts starting April 23, 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with five federal agencies, is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households. This survey is in addition to the 2020 Census which continues through October 2020 under current plans. The Household Pulse Survey will ask individuals about their experiences in terms of employment status, spending patterns, food security, housing, physical and mental health, access to health care, and educational disruption. The Census Bureau will collect data for 90 days, and release data on a weekly basis at state and metropolitan statistical area levels.
2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:
- Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
- Implement guidance from federal, state and local authorities.
- Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.
Field operations will not resume until after June 1, 2020 extended to October 31, 2020. Additionally, the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts to the President on April 30, 2021 instead of December 31, 2020.
Learn more here.
 Complete the 2020 Census Now
Filling out the Census is quick, easy, and safe. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and your information and privacy are protected by federal law.
The 2020 Census is now live and available to fill out online at my2020census.gov.
The 2020 Census can also be completed by phone in over 15 languages or by TDD:
 With the U.S. Census Bureau suspending all field operations until June 1 and potentially later, it means that households across Montana, especially those that are in rural locations or have a P.O. box, will not receive any Census material until the Census Bureau restarts their door-to-door operations. This does not mean that you should wait to fill out your form, because even if you have not received your invitation to participate and do not have your 12-digit Census ID you can still fill out your form now!
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Complete Count for Montana
- Promote my2020census.gov and 1-844-330-2020 for people to fill out their Census form online or by phone.
- Post a picture with Census content on your social media to let your family, friends, and followers know that you were counted in the 2020 Census. Use the hashtags #MontanaCensus2020 #makeitcount
- 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.
- Include Census information in mailings that you're sending out. 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.
- Distribute the Montana public service announcements (PSA) on personal or business social media platforms, websites, newsletters, or other digital communication channels.
IMPORTANT DATES
These events are current as of April 29, 2020, but are subject to change as the U.S. Census Bureau revises its operations in response to COVID-19. Check with event organizers regarding local events and go to 2020CENSUS.GOV for the latest U.S. Census Bureau operations updates.
March 12 – October 31: Self Response Phase
Group Quarters: April 2 but Extended to September 3, 2020
June 1: Resume Field Operations:
June 13 – July 9: Update/Leave
July 1 – September 3: In-person Group Quarters Enumeration
August 11 – October 31: Non-response Follow-up
September 3 – September 28: Enumerate Transitory Locations
April 30, 2021 (Proposed): Deliver to the President
July 31, 2021: Deliver redistricting data to states
Operations and dates for counting of those experiencing homelessness and those in Transitory Locations is still under review
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
IN THE NEWS
Who’s at risk of not being counted in the 2020 census - THE CONVERSATION
Majority of Montanans submitting 2020 Census on new online platform - NBC MONTANA
Census says restart to field operations will be in phases - NBC MONTANA
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 NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Have you been working on community outreach for the Census? Or do you have a success story you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next digital event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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