Fresno State OCED partnered with the Cenus Bureau to reach Fresno neighborhoods

With 2020 underway, the United States is now in the process of compiling responses for the 2020 Census. An ancient practice that dates to antiquity, census counts have traditionally been utilized for the purposes of tracking population shifts, taxation, and accounting. Since 1790, the federal government has been mandated to hold a decennial census of the population for the purposes of tracking populational trends, determining the allotment of members of the House of Representatives for each individual state, and providing crucial data that helps determine how federal dollars are allocated to the states.  

As such, it is crucial for Californians, especially for residents of the San Joaquin Valley, to complete their census forms in order to get an accurate count of our state. This can mean the difference in whether California will receive sufficient representation in Washington D.C. and adequate funding for programs and services funded by federal dollars such as hospitals, fire departments, schools, road maintenance, etc. This enumeration is to get an accurate count of all residents of the United States regardless of whether a person in the household has an undocumented status. Any information provided in the Census form is confidential and not released to the public until 72-years after submission. It is important to note that there is no citizenship question on the Census form.   

Census Day was celebrated on April 1st. The celebration was meant to promote and encourage the members of the public in completing their forms and to mark the beginning of the self-reporting period of the Census process. Though Census Day has pass, it is not too late to complete the Census. The Federal Census Bureau has submitted Census forms to residents over the mail. The Census can be completed through that form. The form can also be completed online at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html. Lastly, the form can be completed over the phone at 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020(Spanish). The hours of operation for the phone lines are 4 am to 11 pm PST.  

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Fresno State OCED is currently operating a phone banking team that is doing outreach to the Fresno State and Pinedale neighborhoods that have significant Hard-to-Count populations and to help maintain physical distancing in these trying times. The outreach is meant to inform residents about the 2020 Census and aid those who need help in completing their Census form. Fresno State will continue this service to the public through the month of May and June. For more information, please contact Miguel Lopez, project manager, at email: miguellopez@mail.fresnostate.edu; phone: 559-278-0518.