Raleigh was the site of an important meeting on Wednesday – one that could change the state’s future in very positive ways. As the Governor’s Tribal Liaison, I was proud to join a panel of state and federal 2010 Census representatives to seek ethnic media’s support in reaching historically undercounted populations.
Discussion focused on more effectively communicating the importance and confidentiality of the Census as a means to increase participation. Other efforts include scrutiny of Census maps to identify previously uncounted pockets and the hiring of local Census takers familiar with their communities.
Acknowledging that some underserved communities have a historic mistrust of the Census, officials have streamlined the 2010 survey to include just 10 basic questions that can be answered in 10 minutes or less. Census forms will be received nationally by mid-March, in advance of the official April 1 Census Day.
Census officials say that for each citizen who goes uncounted, the state misses an opportunity to receive about $1,000 in federal funds and services – for each of the next 10 years. As Bob Coats, Governor Perdue’s Census Liaison said, “I don’t know of any community in North Carolina that can let go of that kind of money.”
When citizens mail back their surveys, instead of making Census takers go door to door, the process becomes significantly more cost effective, allowing more resources to be directed to vital services.
Accurate census data means more than just money for our fast-growing state. It could change district lines and add or subtract the number of legislators who represent North Carolina interests in Washington. It could increase and improve services to disadvantaged populations, or it could end them.
The bottom line is that – regardless of where they live, what they look like or what they believe – there is not a single unimportant person in our state. Participating in this swift and completely confidential process will provide each and every North Carolinian the chance to do their part to improve our state.
