Census 2020 outreach efforts adapt to Coronavirus restrictions

“In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, staying focused on Census outreach activities – even while the form of those activities is changing – provides a sense of purpose.”

While the Coronavirus pandemic currently dominates both headlines and headspace, we haven’t lost sight of another urgent priority: the 2020 Census.

Responding to the Census online is both safe and easy, and takes just 10 minutes. Yet there are many misperceptions about the Census – its implications, and what’s involved. In response, the foundation’s Boulder County 2020 Census Fund is supporting local grassroots outreach efforts through the summer. These efforts are led by cultural brokers, who are well-connected members of communities identified as hard-to-count populations – from immigrants and Latinos who speak Spanish as a first language to communities of color, college students, seniors, families with children under five, low-income residents, people experiencing homelessness, and others.

Currently, our community’s cultural brokers are creatively adapting their planned strategies and tactics to comply with mandated restrictions to control the spread of the Coronavirus.

“Since we can no longer do in-person presentations and events, we’re reaching out to our communities through increased social media engagement, especially on Facebook and WhatsApp,” says Carmen Faucette, Boulder County 2020 Census Outreach Coordinator. “Our goal is to continue to gain momentum and motivate our county’s diverse populations to respond to the Census online or by phone – especially now, those are really the best options.”

Indeed, while cultural brokers’ door hanger efforts have also been postponed, they’re still distributing 2020 Census bags, flyers, and stickers at local grocery stories and mom-and-pop food markets in diverse neighborhoods…and easing people’s fears by being available to answer questions in both English or in Spanish.

Adds Pamela Craig, Boulder County 2020 Census Campaign Manager, “In this climate of social distancing, our Census outreach plans are ever-evolving. As the field manager overseeing our dedicated cultural brokers, Carmen is rapidly regrouping and resetting our mobilization efforts.”

Among those efforts are Census-related video tutorials (see below), as well as widely-distributed postcards with clear calls to actions on how to respond to the Census. Says Carmen, “We’re even disseminating 2020 Census stickers on pizza boxes from local pizza places – as well as other carry-out places – to create awareness and response.”

“In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, staying focused on Census outreach activities – even while the form of those activities is changing – provides a sense of purpose,” Pamela says. “Regardless of the current circumstances, everything still boils down to relationships. So our focus now is, ‘how do we continue to stay connected and come together, even as we’re called upon to be physically isolated from one another?’”

According to Carmen, “Thankfully, we’re a very resilient, resourceful group with great ideas, so we’re brainstorming and adjusting to the changing circumstances around us. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing, but in different ways.”

The decennial Census of population and housing in the United States is critical. Each person counted is worth $2,300 per year in federal funding for Colorado communities. That’s why your Community Foundation established the Boulder County 2020 Census Fund to help ensure a complete and accurate count of our community – the basis for how federal funds are distributed to such programs as WIC, Head Start, education, transportation, public transit, and much more. Learn more, join the movement…and get counted!