PROVIDENCE – Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and the Rhode Island congressional delegation urged Providence County residents to respond to the 2018 End-to-End Census Test Monday.
Providence County is the only full-scale end-to-end census test in the United States for the upcoming 2020 Census. The test includes online responses, a new feature that will be available in the 2020 Census.
Residents are asked to respond to the test census questionnaire either online or by phone. The questionnaire comprises 10 questions and is expected to take about 10 minutes to complete. Beginning on May 9, census enumerators will visit households that have yet to respond to the test census.
“The city and members of the Complete Count Committee recognize the importance of the Census and the impact it can have on funding for services and programs, including road repairs, school lunches and aid for seniors,” said Elorza in a statement. “As a diverse city with many historically undercounted communities, we’re rising to meet the challenge of preparing all residents to be counted in the upcoming 2020 Census.”
The Census outreach message noted that the 2020 Census holds implications for Rhode Island’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of the 2010 census, Rhode Island had the smallest average district size of any state in the nation. The message also noted that Census data also can dictate federal assistance dollars such as Medicaid, Medicare and Community Development Block Grant funds, as a recent study showed that the outcomes can influence a decade of funding.
“As all of us know, the Census plays an essential part in the way American government functions. We use the results to make many important decisions, including how many federal dollars each state receives. That’s why I am glad that Providence County will serve as a test site over the coming weeks,” said Rep. David N. Cicilline in a statement. “During this test, our state will help set the standards that will be used in the coming years. I urge all Rhode Islanders to do anything they can to help make this test as successful as possible.”
Respondents may respond online or by filling out a paper questionnaire in English and Spanish. Telephone assistance is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic and Tagalog.
“From new school construction to transportation funding, the Census helps the government determine where to allocate money and helps businesses decide where to set up shop,” said Sen. Jack F. Reed in a statement. “Providence County is the only site in the nation where the Census Bureau will conduct a full-scale end-to-end field test for the 2020 population count. We want to ensure a fair and accurate census count, and the best way to do that is to ensure people can easily and conveniently participate. This field test will help hone strategies for reaching all members of our diverse communities, and it could help boost the state’s economy in the short-term while saving U.S. taxpayers in the long run.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
