www.NCCensus.org

Theme: I Count NC, #iCountNC Call to Action: Residents in North Carolina will receive invitations to participate in the 2020 Census between March 12-20. It’s time to Count! NC Counts Coalition and partners are mobilizing around the state to promote Census participation among historically undercounted communities. Outreach begins now as we lead up to National Census Day, April 1, 2020. The goal is to raise awareness and encourage participation in historically undercounted communities. Talking Points Lead With Values

- The Census is the Core of our Democracy - The Census is mandated by the constitution - It is everyone’s right to be counted - The Census is the largest peacetime operation in the United States - The Census is the most inclusive operation in the United States. Everyone

counts regardless of immigration status, housing status or age Talk About Why Being Counted Is Important

- Decennial Census data are used to determine the number of seats each state occupies in the House of Representatives, to distribute more than $1.504 trillion of federal funding, and to assist decision-makers in community planning for services and economic development.

- Census data must be accurate, valid, reliable and fair to support political balance, equitably distribute federal funds among states, and to paint an accurate picture of communities to assist decision-makers in ensuring that every community has access to the resources and services it needs to improve the quality of every resident’s life.

- It’s estimated that for every person who goes uncounted in North Carolina, the state will lose $1,600 every year in funding. That is $16,000 per person over 10 years. That adds up to a lot of dollars left on the table for our communities for critical services like health care, Head Start program slots, highways, roads and bridges, Medicaid, and more.

- North Carolina receives $23 billion a year in federal funding for programs each year for education, transportation and social welfare programs.

www.NCCensus.org

EDUCATION (Primary – Higher Education) o $431 million a year for Title I grants Title I grants help local educational agencies serve students in low-income families and communities across North Carolina receives $431 million a year in federal funding for Title I grants.

o $341 million a year for special education programs

Special Education grants support continued special education needs of our schools. North Carolina receives $341 million a year in federal Census guided funding to support special education programs.

o $231 million a year for Head Start programs Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development. About 26,000 NC children are enrolled in a head start program. North Carolina currently receives about $231 million a year in Census guided funding for Head Start programs.

o $759 million a year for federal pell grants

Federal Pell Grants help students pay for college. Unlike loans, Federal Pell Grants don’t need to be paid back. North Carolina receives about $759 million a year in Census guided funding for federal pell grants for NC College students.

o $36 million a year for Career and Technical Education

Federal Career and Technical Education grants help state and local schools offer programs to develop the academic, vocational and technical skills of students in high schools, community colleges, and regional technical centers. Funds support a broad range of programs, services, and activities designed to improve career–technical education programs and ensure access to students who are members of populations with special needs. North Carolina receives about $36 million a year in Census guided funding to support careers and technical education.

www.NCCensus.org

FOOD SECURITY

o $381 million a year for the National School Lunch Program About 800,000 NC students enrolled in free and reduced lunch in North Carolina in 2017. North Carolina receives about $381 million a year in Census guided funding to support the National School Lunch Program. Data from Kids Count Data Center and NC Child

o $135 million a year school breakfast program Almost 900,000 students in North Carolina were eligible for Free and Reduced-Price meals at school in 2017. About 376,151 students participated in school breakfast. North Carolina receives about $135 million a year in federal Census guided funding for its school breakfast program.

o $2.2 billion a year for SNAP SNAP operates to end hunger by providing nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. In 2016, SNAP reached 750,493 North Carolina households with 1,539,621 individuals in an average month. In North Carolina, SNAP helps 1 in 5 rural and small-town households and 1 in 8 households in metro areas afford healthy, nutritious meals. North Carolina receives $2.2 billion a year in Census guided funding to for SNAP.

o $95 million a year for the Child and Adult Care Food Program The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks children and adults at childcare centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in day care facilities. North Carolina receives about $95 million a year in Federal Census guided funding for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

www.NCCensus.org

HEALTHCARE

o $8.5 billion a year for Medicaid Medicaid is the single largest health insurer for children. It is also the primary source of health care for low-income parents and other non-elderly adults, the elderly and people with disabilities. North Carolina receives $8.5 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for Medicaid.

o $8.5 billion a year for Medicaid

Medicaid provides health insurance to more than 900,000 children in North Carolina. North Carolina receives $8.5 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for Medicaid.

o $2 billion a year in for Medicare

Almost 2 million individuals receive Medicare benefits in North Carolina. North Carolina receives more than $2 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for Medicare.

o $448 million a year for State Children’s Health Insurance Program

SCHIP provides low-cost health coverage to about 235,000 children in families in North Carolina that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. North Carolina receives $448 million a year in Census guided funding for its State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

o $119 million a year for health care centers

Community health centers are private, nonprofit community-based organizations that provide primary care – regardless of ability to pay – to patients in all 100 counties throughout North Carolina. Community Health Centers are often the only source of care available to low-income patients and are playing an increasingly important role in providing treatment for people caught up in the opioid epidemic. 546,000 patients received primary health care from a community health center in North Carolina in 2017. North Carolina receives about $119 million a year in Census guided federal funding for health care centers.

www.NCCensus.org

OTHER PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

o $76 million a year for foster care programs. About 17,000 Children are in the foster care system in North Carolina. North Carolina currently receives about $76 million a year in Census guided funding to support foster care programs.

o $91 million a year for the Child Care and Development Fund

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) assists low-income families in accessing childcare and improving the quality of childcare for all children. North Carolina receives $91 million a year in federal Census guided funding for the CCDF.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

o $370 million a year for affordable housing assistance North Carolina receives $370 million a year in federal housing assistance that assists very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing.

RURAL NORTH CAROLINA

o $1.54 billion a year for rural North Carolina o USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand

economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. North Carolina receives about $1.54 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for programs that support rural North Carolina.

OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS

o $203 million a year for WIC The WIC program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals for health care. WIC reduces infant mortality, saves public health care dollars, improves children’s health, improves infant feeding practices and diet quality, supports cognitive development and enhances community food environments. North Carolina receives about $203 million a year in federal Census guided funding for WIC.

www.NCCensus.org

o $87 million a year for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program North Carolina utility assistance programs help low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills. Some programs provide emergency financial assistance that help eligible households pay their heating bills, while others offer changes to your home that result in long-term energy savings. North Carolina receives about $87 million a year in Census guided funding for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. https://www.nc211.org/heating-assistance

INFRASTRUCTURE

o $1 billion a year in for highway planning and construction North Carolina receives more than $1 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for highway planning and construction. This funding helps maintain more than 80,000 miles of highways. (Texas is the only state that has more.) The 80,000 miles include nearly 15,000 miles of primary highways (US and NC routes) and nearly 65,000 miles of secondary roads. In addition to the highways, NC Department of Transportation maintains more than 13,500 bridges. North Carolina also has over 8.7 registered vehicles and 6.9 million licensed drivers traveling on those highways and bridges. North Carolina receives more than $1billion a year in federal Census guided funding for highway construction and planning.

o $177 million a year for Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants

Public transportation provides economic and health benefits to communities as well as access to work, education, training, medical transportation, shopping and tourism. In 2017, North Carolina's 99 public transportation systems served more than 70 million passengers. More than $125 million in state and federal funds supported transit operations in all 100 counties. This funding supported 11,000 transit-related jobs, resulting in $556 million in wages. In FY 2016 North Carolina received about $177 million in Census guided federal transit investment grants.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

o $101 million a year vocational rehabilitation service

You count for about $101 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for vocational rehabilitation services; these funds support vocational rehab services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

www.NCCensus.org

- Economic Development: Company executives use Census data to identify where to build or place factories, business headquarters, or new stores. When a company opens its doors in a community, that means more jobs in that community. Census data also guide the distribution of billions of dollars in community development block grants. The future of school planning and building relies on a full and accurate count of all children.

- Political Representation: Census data determines the number of seats each state occupies in the House of Representatives. North Carolina is projected to gain a seat in the House of Representatives, making our state more influential in Congress by increasing our representation from 13 to 14 representatives. Census data also guides redistricting from political districts to school zones.

- Self-Identity: The Census is one of the only documents that asks you to identify your race and ethnicity. This is an opportunity to tell the government what you identify as racially and not leave it up for others to determine what you identify. We have a ways to go to make this form as equally balanced as possible and this is one step in the right direction.

Highlight importance of outreach of historically undercounted communities The Census undercounts certain populations, referred to by the Census Bureau as ‘hard-to-count.’ A population may be undercounted because of: - Lack of internet access when the Census is relying on self-response on the

internet as the primary form of data collection for the 2020 Census - Concerns of confidentiality - Distrust of government - Misunderstanding of who should be counted in the Census - Lack of stability in living arrangements - Language barriers Populations historically missed by the Census are immigrants, people of color, young children (0-6 years), renters, low income people, undocumented persons or people who move around a lot.

- 2010 Census missed 25,000 children in NC and could miss 73,000 in 2020 Census - The 2010 Census undercounted renters by 1.1 percent, - The 2010 Census overcounted the non-Hispanic white alone population by 0.8

percent - The 2010 Census undercounted 2.1 percent of the black population - In 2010, 1.5 percent of the Hispanic population was undercounted. - In 2010 Coverage of the American Indian and Alaska Native population varied by

geography. American Indians and Alaska Natives living on reservations were undercounted by 4.9 percent

www.NCCensus.org

If communities are miscounted, they risk losing funding and resources, and an opportunity for fair representation in government.

Finally, encourage participation

- We only get one shot every 10 years. It is up to everyone to do their part to

#MakeNCCount - The Census is Confidential: Your information is protected for up to 72 years.

By law Census Bureau employees are sworn for life to protect your information. A violation of this law could result in five years of prison or a $250,000 fine. Your information cannot be shared with anyone including other government agencies. The Census WILL NOT ask you for your social security number, bank account information or for any monetary donations. The Census WILL ask for your name, date of birth, sex, race, number of residents in your household and your telephone in the event follow-up questions need to be asked.

- The Census is easy - The questionnaire will consist of ten questions about each household member including name, age, race and more.

o Sample Census Questionnaire - https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/partners/2019-08/2020-informational-questionnaire.pdf

o Sample Invitation to Respond - https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/partners/2019-12/2020-informational-invitation-letter.pdf

- You can make sure you and your household are counted in the 2020 Census by participating:

o Online - The Census can be completed online at my2020census.gov in 13

languages. o Phone - The Census can be completed by phone in 13 languages, 1-844-

330-2020 o Mail - Wait for the Census Bureau to mail your household a paper form

that can be mailed back to the Census Bureau. - Check Your Mailbox

o March 12 – 20 – Invitations to Respond o March 16 – March 24 – Reminder Letters Mailed o March 26 – April 3 – Reminder Postcard Mailed o April 1, 2020 – Census Day – for reference only o April 8 – April 16 - Reminder and Census Form Mailed o April 20 – April 27 – Final Reminder Mailed before Census Takers are

Deployed

www.NCCensus.org

- The Census is not political – The Census is all about equity. The operation counts and empowers everyone equally. We cannot jeopardize the integrity of the operation by allowing it to become a political or partisan conversation.

- Let’s work together to make North Carolina better for everyone! - A good Census is the first step in making sire that North Carolina communities

have access to jobs, safe roads, schools and healthcare, now and in the future And…Don’t forget to use iCount!

● Remember to use #iCountNC on social media when discussing the importance of

Census 2020 to North Carolina and tag NC Counts Coalition

○ Twitter: @nccounts

○ Facebook: NC Counts Coalition

○ Instagram: @NCCounts (NC Counts Coalition)

● Census 101 Video Make NC Count

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqS09QjUNVI

● For more information on how you can be involved visit our website at

www.NCCensus.org.

www.NCCensus.org

Crisis Communication / Rapid Response Guidelines At some point during the 2020 Census there will be a situation that will require swift and

direct reaction. How and when to respond is key in effective crisis communication.

Sometimes, a response during a crisis can actually make the crisis even worse. NC

Counts Coalition will monitor and address any potential situations that could cause a

disruption to a full and accurate count of North Carolina. The following guidelines will

assist you in identifying a potential crisis communication during the 2020 Census.

Disinformation Disinformation is false information made with the intent to harm or deceive. This

information is created to cause chaos and confusion. Examples of disinformation

include scams, propaganda, extreme social media posts and other ways of sharing

information with no factual based information. Disinformation campaigns can create and

hesitation of participating in the Census.

Example 1: The Census Bureau will ask you for your social security number and bank

account information. Do not participate in the 2020 Census and protect your identity.

Response: The Census will only ask about your name, age, race, sex and how many

residents live in your household.

Example 2: Your answers to the Census can be shared with local law enforcement to

enforce immigration laws.

Response: Census information cannot be shared with any other government agency,

courts or officials. By law, Census information is safe and protected for 72 years. All

Census Bureau employees are sworn for life to protect your information. A violation of

this could result in fines and prison.

www.NCCensus.org

Misinformation Misinformation is false information shared with good intentions in most cases but refers

to inaccurate information or sources. Most misinformation is created by people who

believed disinformation. Ensure that any messaging / information you are sharing is

accurate and check your sources. One wrong word or sentence on social media can

make your post with good intentions inaccurate.

Example: The 2020 Census starts on April 1, 2020 and that is the only day you can

take it.

Response: The 2020 Census begins in North Carolina on March 12, 2020 and you

have until July 31, 2020 to self report. April 1, 2020 is a reference date as National

Census Day. If you do not respond by April 30, chances are you could get a knock at

your door from an enumerator.

Example: I got my census form in the mail and it had a citizenship question on it.

Response: The form you received is most likely the American Community Survey. The

Census Bureau does hundreds of surveys throughout the year even during Census

time. The 2020 Census does not have a citizenship question on it.

Please report any misinformation or disinformation to our website at (website) so we

can track the information and offer responses

Social Media Social Media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have become platforms of sharing and entertainment for many. Some have used these platforms as places to spread misinformation and disinformation. We witnessed examples of that during numerous national crisis and the presidential election of 2016. These platforms have taken measures to monitor the accuracy of posts on social media around the 2020 Census and elections. Some of these measures are giving viewers a warning label stating the information is not factual or removing posts as a violation of the platforms policies. On the next page you will see guidelines to report false or misleading social media posts provided by https://yallacountmein.org/.

www.NCCensus.org

www.NCCensus.org

www.NCCensus.org

NC Counts Coalition has a page where you can submit information if you see or hear of any misinformation around the Census. Please submit your information at https://www.nccensus.org/census-crisis-management. The U.S. Census Bureau has a hotline where you can ask about anything Census related and report any Census related issues. 1-800-923-8282 We will categorize all instances of misinformation or disinformation from 1 being the lowest to 3 meaning immediate action required. Each potential crisis will be handled on a case by case basis.

Green/Level 1: A potential crisis has been identified but no grounds for action. Usually light rumors or social media posts with little to no sharing involved. This will probably be instances such as information from a potential protestor to the Census. The situation will be document and monitored. Usually Level 1 events fade out with little or no attention required. Remember, in many cases trying to diffuse a low-level crisis can actually turn it into a level 3 crisis just from giving it attention. Yellow/Level 2: A level 2 means the spreading of information is starting to gain traction and could become a potential crisis. An example would be false rumors that spread from a neighborhood level to county or city level. We will document the situation and respond strategically with reinforcement of facts around the Census. We will mobilize our partners in the region of the crisis to assist in the reinforcement and take necessary

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

www.NCCensus.org

actions in reporting the post on social media and reinforcing our message on the ground. Red/Level 3: The crisis has gained significant traction and is spreading all over the state. We will work with our partners on the local, state and federal level to address instances in this type of scenario. A swift and rapid response will occur via social media, partner organizations and community leaders. National Crisis: In the event of a national crisis we will follow the lead of our national partners on Census work at States Counts, NALEO Educational Fund, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the US Census Bureau. We will share all information and best practices with partners and monitor the reaction across North Carolina to make strategic adjustments if necessary.