April 1, 2020 is Census Day of Action. This is an opportunity to show that we care about our community and our kids. The census is not just for adults, we must count all kids as well. When you fill out your census you should include all kids living in your home, including kids age 0-5 years.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we have a complete and accurate count of all kids. In doing so, we have the opportunity to ensure that all kids in Wisconsin have the resources that they need to thrive and an environment where all kids have the opportunity to strive. Counting all kids in Wisconsin is essential so that funding is available for:
- Childcare programs (Wisconsin Shares, Youngstar and Headstart) – these are programs that helps kids learn while their parents work by paying for quality childcare;
- School lunches;
- Food assistance (SNAP);
- Special education grants;;
- Temporary assistance to families in need
- Keeping children safe in foster care.
Census data is also important for planning and evaluation. States, localities and businesses use census data to plan, including where to put new schools or open new stores. Policy makers, researchers, policy analyst and others use the census data to understand how people are faring.
There are a number of reasons why kids are missed by the Census:
- They live in households that are missed altogether.
- They live in households that respond to the census but leave them off. Some families may not realize that babies and young children are supposed to be counted on the census.
- They live in complex households. They are not the biological or adopted child of the householder or they live with grandparents, aunts or uncles, or other family members.
- They live with single parents or young parents between the age of 18- 29 years.
- They live in households that do not speak English or their families include immigrants.
- They live in poor families.
- Their families rent rather than own their home.
April 1, 2020 is your opportunity to ensure that you are counting all kids in Wisconsin for their future, for the future of the State of Wisconsin.
Take Action today! Take the Census 2020! You can take action by going to www.my2020Census.gov to complete the census.
Corinda Rainey-Moore
To get more information, please visit https://kidsforward.org/census/