This spring, every person in Douglas County has an opportunity to give millions of dollars to our local communities. But it won’t cost you a dime.
April 1, 2010 is Census Day. The census is a count of everyone in the United States - both citizens and noncitizens. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. The census will show city, state and national populations and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. In Douglas County, that equates to over $180 million in grants that support our local community. Census data is used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, childcare centers, senior service centers, new housing developments and other community facilities. Census data provides funding for highways, local transit, school lunch programs,
grants for home rehabilitation and education programs that keep our schools drug free. Please do your part to make sure Lawrence & Douglas County are completely counted!
A questionnaire will be mailed to your residence by April 1st. It is only 10 questions and is completely confidential. It is important to our local communities that you count yourself in Douglas County so our local agencies and organizations can continue to provide services our community uses on a daily basis.
Since we are a university community, it is important that students know they must complete both a State and Federal Census. On the Federal Census, students should denote where they live a majority of the year - and many times, they reside in Lawrence most of the time! Douglas County provides crucial support to our students and we need their support in helping provide funding to continue these services. For students, filling out the census questionnaire is a way to keep on giving to
your University and community long after you are gone.
It is estimated that over a ten-year period, $5,300 is lost in federal funding, per person, if an individual does not participate in the Census. What is this money used for?
For 2008, a few examples of funding received for programs in Douglas County include:
• $26.6 million in medical help for low-income seniors, children, and people with disabilities.
• $3.6 million for highway infrastructure.
• $1.1 million for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food program for low-income families.
• $5 million in funding for local families using food stamps.
• $1.7 million for the National School Lunch program to provide healthy meals to Douglas County kids.
• $626,133 in grant funding to rehabilitate homes in Douglas County or invest in energy saving solutions for local families.
• $798,320 in funding for community development programs and support to local non-profit agencies.
• $898,496 in funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program.
• $87,730 in funding to provide emergency shelter loans or grants for person needing assistance with utilities and rent.
• $1.9 Million in funding for local small business loans.
The information you provide to the Census is kept completely confidential. No person, government agency or business has access to your individual information. From May through June, if you do not mail your Census form back, a Census representative may visit your home to collect information. Census workers will clearly identify themselves as representatives of the Census and will be able to provide you with their identification.
Please return your Census questionnaire before April 1, 2010. By answering the 10 questions, you can make a difference in your local community. Your support can raise awareness of and encourage participation in this historic event. With your help, the Census Bureau will continue to produce accurate data, which will directly affect the quality of life in our local community. This is one clear example of how 10 minutes of your time can produce millions of benefits for your community
- and it won’t cost you anything!
For more information on the Census, visit www.2010census.gov. or visit www.lawrenceks.org.