You are the greatest hope for your community! You have the ability to make a huge difference in the future of Grant County and the actions you can take, right now, are easy to do and extremely important. Unfortunately, nearly thirty percent of our community will not do what is necessary to help our community by taking these simple steps. What am I talking about? I'm talking about completing a 2020 Census survey.
The 2020 Census counts every living person in the United States and five U.S. territories. The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail—between March 12-20. You can still go online today and find a link to the survey.
According to the U.S. Census 2020 website the census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.
The New Mexico Human Services Department says "from Gallup to Carlsbad, Las Cruces to Raton, and everywhere in between, the census impacts all communities across New Mexico. The census determines how more than $800 billion in federal funds are distributed to communities across the U.S. including over $7.8 billion right here in New Mexico. The census helps determine the distribution of funds for things like Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), education grants, transportation projects, and nutrition programs for school children.
In New Mexico a 1% undercount could mean a loss of $780 million dollars over the next ten years. New Mexico receives $8,692 per resident in federal funding. This goes to essential programs. For example, our state benefits from federal dollars for SNAP more than any other state. A few of the programs impacted by the census are; Medicaid, SNAP, Highway Planning and Construction, Federal Student Loans, just to name a few. For more information on the programs impacted by the census visit www.hsd.state.nm.us/lookingforinformation/2020-census.aspx.
The day I took my census survey, it was the easiest thing I had to do that day. I clicked on the site from my smart phone at my2020census.gov. I clicked the blue button and answered a few, very simple, questions. I listed the people who are living in my house with me and submitted the survey. It was easy and it took less than 10 minutes.
If you are worried about completing the census please understand that the information you provide cannot, and will not, be used for purposes other than the census. If you are unsure whether you should complete a census because you just moved to Grant County or you don't have a permanent residence yet because you are renting or homeless. Complete the census anyway! The details of your residency really come down to one question… Where did you live on April 1, 2020? Answer the questions based on this information and you will be okay. If you are unemployed, underemployed, homeless, in poor health, currently receiving Medicaid, SNAP benefits or any other service that is key to your survival it is VITAL that you complete your 2020 census.
If you have completed your census, then I say "THANK YOU" for doing this. If you know of anybody who needs to complete their census then help them out. It's okay to ask your friends if they need help. You will not violate any privacy laws by doing so. I can't complete your survey for you, but I can help you if you will let me. If you need help completing your survey, or if you have questions about it, reach out to me at director@silvercity.org and we will set an appointment to talk about it.
You count! You are important! If you don't complete your survey, then you are silencing your own voice and rendering yourself invisible. Be Counted and Be Seen!