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Census Updates The following link(s) will open in one new tab or window. Should you have any questions regarding this article, please follow the specific contact information provided. Governor Paterson Announces $2 Million in Grants for Community Groups, Local Governments to Ensure Every New Yorker is Counted in the 2010 Census. Funds Targeted Towards Underrepresented and Hard-to-Count Communities Governor David A. Paterson today announced that 31 grants totaling $2 million have been awarded to community groups and local governments that will assist the federal government in ensuring every New Yorker is counted during next year’s census. The grants were appropriated as part of the 2009-10 State budget. They will fund public education, community outreach and other activities targeted at hard-to-count and low response rate populations for promoting awareness of the 2010 census, improving census questionnaire mail-back rates and encouraging cooperation with census takers. “These grants will ensure that all New Yorkers are ready come March, when the Census Bureau sends out its questionnaire,” Governor Paterson said. “I am looking forward to working with these organizations and municipalities, as well as with the many Complete Count Committees organized across the State, to help New York get its fair share of representation and federal dollars. “I want to remind all New Yorkers that the census is safe, as responses are strictly confidential and protected by law; it’s easy, as it only takes a few minutes to answer and return; and it’s important, as census data affects funding and political representation for your community,” the Governor added. New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez said: “Especially after the undercount in 2000, in which more than 200,000 New Yorkers were not tallied, we need every New Yorker to help us achieve an accurate count this time around. These grants are an investment in our State, as every additional New Yorker counted will in turn help the State receive much needed federal funding for social services and infrastructure improvements. New York has a diverse population – from the high-rise dwellers in New York City to the family farmers of Genesee County – and we are proud to provide critical financial support for community outreach efforts to ensure a complete count.” Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson said: “During times of fiscal crisis, we must do everything possible to ensure New York receives the federal dollars it deserves. Funding for vital service areas like transportation, health care, education, and public safety are dependent on an accurate accounting of each and every New Yorker. I thank Governor Paterson for recognizing the immense value to our state in achieving an accurate census and signing this bill.” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “In order for our state to receive a fair distribution of federal funds for programs to assist the elderly, unemployed and at-need residents, every New Yorker must be counted in the upcoming census. With the $2 million award announced today, local governments and dedicated civic organizations will be able to target outreach and media efforts towards underrepresented communities to ensure an accurate count. The Assembly Majority encourages all New Yorkers to make sure that they are counted to guarantee that billions of dollars in federal aid is available to our state in the coming decade. I thank Governor Paterson for his dedication to meeting New York’s goals for the upcoming federal census.” The grants fund two categories: outreach and mobilization and media campaigns. Outreach and mobilization activities can take many forms, including distribution of literature, door–to–door conversations and training community members to advocate for census participation or to assist hard–to–count populations in filling out the census questionnaire. Media campaigns will promote census participation through print, broadcast and online media. The 2010 Census is a nationwide effort to count the more than 310 million people living in the United States – including the nearly 20 million residents of New York. Questionnaires will be mailed in mid-March and comprise just 10 questions that can be answered in less than 10 minutes. The population of New York State, as determined by the 2010 census, will play a critical role in determining political representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, the New York State Legislature and in New York’s local governments. Information gathered through the census will also determine how the federal government distributes more than $400 billion each year back to the states for critical programs such as education, housing and community development, health care and transportation. State, local and tribal governments use census information for planning and to allocate funds for new school construction, libraries and other public buildings, highway safety and public transportation systems, new roads and bridges, the location of police and fire departments and many other projects. Earlier this year, the Governor signed Executive Order No. 30, establishing the New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee to raise awareness of the census and maximize the participation of all New Yorkers. The New York Census Action Council, chaired by Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez, will coordinate the Committee’s work. For more information on the New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee, please visit www.census2010.ny.gov. Grants were awarded to the following groups: Outreach and Mobilization Grants
Media Campaign Grants
General Census Information I don’t think that we can emphasize enough how important this year’s census is. The census will be used to determine how much funding the state and local communities get from the federal government for important federal, state, and local programs and services. It will also impact political representation at the federal and state level as well as in many localities. Getting an accurate count is the only way to insure that we receive the level of services our tax dollars are going to fund and that we have the proper level of representation in government. It is up to everyone to do their small part by making sure their census forms are filled out accurately once they are received after being mailed out in March. There are many options for you to participate in making sure this year’s census is completed quickly and accurately. These options range from simply making sure that you fill out your own census form promptly and accurately to getting more involved through local community groups or by working directly for the U.S. Bureau of the Census. New York State and the federal government have both set up web pages to help you get involved in the census process and to answer any questions you may have about the census. Information on the census in New York State and how to participate is available at: www.empire.state.ny.us/nysdc/Census_2010/ For more general information about the census visit: www.2010.census.gov/2010census/
February 2010
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August 2010 Contact Us
Phone: 1-800-395-3372 Upcoming DDPC Meetings August 2010:
8/9/10 - Chilodrens Issues Committee Meeting *Notice* Open Government and the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC). All DDPC meetings are held in Albany, NY unless otherwise noted. Under law, the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) meetings and DDPC Standing Committee meetings are open meetings. If the public wants to attend, they can attend as observers. Participants may be asked to leave during breaks in the deliberations and when the meeting goes into executive session. If more information, please contact the DDPC directly.
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