Every 10 years, the Census Bureau undertakes a complete count of every resident of the United States. The resulting data informs policy-making, determines federal funding levels and representation, drives business decisions, and informs us about our communities and their needs.
In 2018, the only Census test in the country took place in Providence County, and it illustrated the critical importance of cross-sector partnerships to ensure that all Rhode Islanders are counted accurately, particularly those groups that have historically been undercounted, including young children, people of color, immigrants, residents of low-income areas, and the homeless.
It is essential that state and local governments are mobilized, community-based and philanthropic organizations are engaged, and that trusted voices join in efforts to educate and outreach to those who might not be inclined to participate in the Census, especially in today’s political environment.
The data from Census 2020 will determine a decade’s worth of federal funding allocation for Rhode Island’s most vulnerable residents and communities, and you can help ensure that every Rhode Island counts, and is counted!
Actual Census 2020 Questionnaire
Census 2020 Phone Numbers:
English 844-330-2020
Spanish 844-468-2020
Chinese (Mandarin) 844-391-2020
Chinese (Cantonese) 844-398-2020
Vietnamese 844-461-2020
Korean 844-392-2020
Russian 844-417-2020
Arabic 844-416-2020
Tagalog 844-478-2020
Polish 844-479-2020
French 844-494-2020
Haitian Creole 844-477-2020
Portuguese 844-474-2020
Japanese 844-460-2020
Telephone Display Device (TDD) 844-467-2020
Overview of the Census in 59 Non-English Languages
Census Video Instructions in 16 Languages
Instructions for Completing Census 2020 Form in 60 Languages
Census Overview Video in English and 26 Asian and Pacific Islander Languages
Questions/Concerns about the Census: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Census Protection Hotline 888-COUNT20
Lawyers Committee’s Census Protection Hotline Partner Toolkit
NALEO Resources, 877-EL-CENSO
Arab American Institute Resources 833-3DDOUNI
Census Counts hotline: 844-202-0274
Downloadable Census Outreach Materials
I’ve Been Counted stickers — created by New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives
Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander resources — AAJC
Census Videos
What is the Census — AAPI PSA’s in Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Gujarti, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Loa, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese
How Do I Take the Census — AAPI PSA’s in Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Gujarti, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Loa, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese
Census Disinformation
- Census and Security
- Disinformation 101
- 2020 Census: Protecting Yourself Against Scams
- Detecting Disinformation
Report to census@advancingjustice-aajc.org, flags@censuscounts.org or rumors@census.gov
Census Toolkits
Funders Census Toolkit and Funders Census Initiative
National Conference of State Legislators Census Resources
Get Out the Count Planning Timeline from State Voices
Reuters Graphic on Census Data and Federal Funding
Census Digital Academy — online training series for digital outreach efforts to reach the hardest to count populations for Census 2020
NALEO Census Communications Toolkit
Census Public Service Announcements and Videos
Census Jobs
2020 jobs site — find out more information and apply for temporary Census Taker positions
The majority of positions for the first large field operation, Address Canvassing, will not be offered until the summer of 2019; however, there are some positions available this fall and winter. To find out about available jobs in your area, call 1-855-JOB-2020 (1-855-562-2020) and select option 3 to be routed to the office in your area. Even if there are no current open positions, if you apply now, your application can remain in the applicant pool for the entire 2020 Census cycle. As a result, whenever there are openings in your area, for which you qualify, your application may be considered.
Census Resource Websites
2020Census.gov — Census Bureau
Count Us in 2020 — Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
Census Factsheets and FAQs
League of Women Voters/NALEO Census 101 Factsheets English Spanish
- Language Resources and How to Get Assistance
- How to Identify a Census Taker
- The Internet Response Option in the 2020 Census
NCSL RI Census Factsheet
Census 101
Census Confidentiality
What Does the 2020 Census Ask Me?
How Do I Respond to the 2020 Census and What Does it Ask Me?
How the 2020 Census Affects Your Community
Census Outreach 101 and What Community-Based Organizations Can Do
Counting Your Family and Young Children
Engaging Your Friends and Family in the 2020 Census
Language Resources and How to Get Assistance
Key 2020 Census Milestones — FCCP
Census Accuracy and Undercount Factsheet — Funders Census Initiative
An FAQ About the Census, FAQ Webinar About the Census — AAJC
How Are People Counted in the Census — AAJC
Census Bureau Resources and Tools for Partners
Census Get Out the Count Timeline — AAJC
Census Technology FAQs — Census Counts
Rhode Island Census Information
NALEO Rhode Island Census Factsheet
Federal Funding to Rhode Island Based on Census Data — George Washington University
Why the Census Matters
Census Accuracy and the Undercount – Why It Matters; How’s it Measured
Funders Census Initiative 2020
Why a Fair and Accurate Census Matters to Thriving Private and Public Sectors
Leadership Conference Education Fund
Urban Institute Research on Undercount Projections
Federal Funding to Rhode Island Based on Census Data — George Washington University
Project on Government Oversight Guide to Five Census-guided Federal Assistance Programs in Rhode Island (Title 1, CDBG, WIOA)
Hard to Count Populations
Mapping Hard to Count Populations
Census ROAM Tool — learn about local areas with low-response rates, with demographic information in order to target appropriate outreach
Census Counts & The Urban Institute webinar on 2020 Census: Who’s at Risk of Being Miscounted?
Urban Institute Report on Potential Miscounts for Census 2020
Census Counts Digital Organizing webinars — Reaching Hard to Count populations
Young Children
Counting Young Children in the 2020 Census
National Hub for Undercount of Young Children (Partnership for America’s Children)
Five Things Funders Can Do to Count All Kids — Early Childhood Funders Collaborative
Census Research on the Undercount of Young Children
NEA Census Resources for Educators
Early Childhood Funders Census Action Factsheet to Count All Kids
Early Childhood Funders Collaborative Webinar on “Young Children and the Census Undercount” Slides
Census Bureau research on messaging for families with young children
NALEO information sheet for counting young children (Spanish version) (CA)
Suggestions for Childcare Providers — Count All Kids
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, in partnership with Georgetown’s Center on Poverty and Inequality produced the following series of “Will You Count?” factsheets and released them on April 17, 2018
- Will Your Kids Count? Young children and their families in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? Latinos in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? African Americans in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? American Indians and Alaska Natives in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? Middle Eastern and North African Americans (MENA) in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? People Experiencing Homelessness in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? Households with Low Incomes in the 2020 Census
- Will You Count? Renters in the 2020 Census
LGBTQ
LGBTQ Resources QueertheCensus.org — National LGBTQ Task Force and Engaging the AANHPI LGBTQ Community webinar from AAJC
People with Disabilities
Why the Census Matters for People with Disabilities — Census Counts
States Ranked by Percentage of People with Disabilities Living in HTC Tracks — Center on Poverty and Inequality
Resources from the Arc
National Disability Rights Network Census FAQ’s
Racial/Ethnic/Cultural Groups
Race and Origin Questions on the Census — factsheet and brief from Georgetown Center for Poverty and Inequality
Census Messaging Testing — AAJC
AAPI Census Toolkit — NCAPA Civic Engagement Committee
National Urban League Census Toolkit
National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Census 2020 Resources
Arab American Resources YallaCountMeIn.org
- College Students
- Counting People in Colleges and Universities (Georgetown University)
Latinx and Spanish Language Resources
2020Census.gov — Census Bureau
HagaseContar.org — NALEO
NALEO National Bilingual Census Hotline — 877-EL-CENSO (877-352-3676)
Spanish Language Toolkit — NALEO
Spanish Language Factsheet — NALEO
HazteContar.com — Telemundo, Voto Latino, Hispanic Federation, NALEO
National Latino Commission Report on Census 2020
NALEO Northeast Census Deputy Director — Monica Vargas-Huertas,mvargas@naleo.org
Other Language Resources
Asian language factsheets (AAJC)
Resources for Nonprofits and Community Organizations
Resources For Businesses
Data for a Strong Economy: Securing an accurate 2020 U.S. Census is essential for business
by ReadyNation • Council for a Strong America, May 2018
Why Your Company Should Become a 2020 Census Official Partner
Census Bureau
Effective Strategies for Business Engagement Webinar Recording and Slides, Funder Census Initiative
Resources For Municipalities and Policymakers
National Association of Counties
National League of Cities
by the National Conference of State Legislatures, December 2017
2020 Census: How State Legislators Can Make a Difference
Census Bureau webinar recording
Census State/Local Partner Resources
6 Innovative Ways US Governments Are Preparing for the 2020 Census — Governing.com
Resources for Libraries
Library Census Fact Sheet — American Library Association
Libraries Guide to the Census — American Library Association
American Library Association Census Policy Brief
Resources for Faith-Based Groups and Houses of Worship
Resources for Rural Areas
Counting Rural America: A Guide to 2020 Census Operations
The Census Project, Center on Poverty and Equality, Georgetown Law
Why the Census Matters for Rural America: Defining, Understanding and Investing in Rural Communities
The Census Project, Center on Poverty and Equality, Georgetown Law
Resources for Funders
Why Your Foundation Should Become a 2020 Census Official Partner — Census Bureau
Census Technology
Census Tech FAQs from Census Counts
Census Technology Options– Community Connect Labs
Funder Resources for Counting Young Children — Early Childhood Funders Collaborative
Citizenship Question
Addition of the Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census Form (AAJC)
PRB, October 2018
The Census Project, June 2018
Association of National Advertisers, June 12, 2018
by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Jan. 1, 2018
Annotated Guide to the Amicus Briefs Filed in New York Citizenship Question Lawsuit
Brennan Center
Complete Count Committees
Census Complete Count Committee Guide
Organizing Complete Count Committees Workbook (Minnesota)
Census Solutions Workshops webinar — Partnership for America’s Children
Census Bureau Map — Contact info for Complete Count Committees