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Census Funds the Future

 


The 2020 Census marks the 24th time that our country has counted its population since 1790. Part of a once-a-decade tradition of counting every person living in the U.S., the 2020 Census is the first to be primarily online, though responders also have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone or by mail. Consisting of only nine questions, the Census is quick and easy, taking approximately ten minutes to complete.

Why is the Census important? Your response will help direct billions of dollars in federal funds to schools, services, and our local community over the next decade. In 2017, census data guided Riverside County allocations of nearly $127 million in Title I Funding, $19 million in Community Development Block Grants, and $35.5 million for Workforce Innovations.

A mobile census unit helps families fill out the 2020 CensusA woman speaks with a Census Response Representative
Census Response Representatives help families complete the 2020 Census at Ina Arbuckle Elementary during a Mobile Questionnare Assistance Event.

An example of census funding in action: JUSD’s Department of Parent Involvement and Community Outreach. “Parent Involvement and Community Outreach is funded through federal grants, Medi-cal, donations, and partnerships with other federal and privately funded agencies,” stated Jose Campos, Director of PICO.

A family of six pick up twenty pounds of meat and cheese along with diapers for their seven-month-old daughter; a second grader struggling with reading receives new glasses from Project HeART, which help improve his comprehension and fluency skills; all family possessions are destroyed in a house fire and the first to reach out is The CARE Closet, outfitting the family in new shoes and clothes; a mother suddenly passes from COVID-19 and mental health services help her family cope with the loss, come to terms with their grief, and find a way to move forward.

These are but a few ways in which PICO offers aid during difficult times. Families in our community endure hardships and suffer losses, but Jurupa Unified’s PICO programs can provide resources and support because of federal funding secured by accurate census counts. 

A man sits behind a table with backpacks to hand out to families completing the 2020 Census.A young girl in a face mask holds a backpack she received after her family completed the 2020 Census
At Sunnyslope Elementary, PICO offers free backpacks with supplies to families who complete the 2020 Census during a Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Event.​

“By completing the 2020 Census, Jurupa Valley Residents are taking the stance of being advocates for change," said Jurupa Valley Mayor Anthony Kelly Jr. "Participation creates representation."

The 2020 Census ends on September 30th. As of September 24th, the date of this publication, 70% of Jurupa Valley households have been counted. Please do your part in funding JUSD’s Department of Parent Involvement and Community Outreach as well as our community partners by taking the 2020 Census today. To respond online, c​​lick on the images below or go to https://2020census.gov/. To respond by phone, call (844) 330-2020.​

The United States Census 2020 logo® is a Federally registered trademark of the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.