April 8, 2010

As an official 2010 U.S. Census partner, the Episcopal Church urges citizens to stand up and be counted by completing the census form.

Every 10 years, in accordance with the Constitution, the Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States and its territories. Households have until April 16 to mail back their form. After the deadline, census workers visit households that haven't responded.

Answers to the questions listed on the census form determine the distribution of $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The data also determine how each state is represented in Congress.

Sarah Eagle Heart, Episcopal Church officer for Native American and indigenous ministries, recently wrote about the importance of American Indians and Alaskan Natives filling out their forms. For more information visit Indian Country Counts.

All census responses are confidential. Answers are protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone, with extreme measures taken to protect the identity of individuals and businesses. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' individually identifiable answers with anyone, including tribal housing authorities, other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

The Episcopal Church Office of Communication has developed an ad "Be counted, or lose out" urging participation in the 2010 Census, which is available here for free at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/adcollaborative.htm.

The Census offers a tool-kit for faith-based partners.

If you did not receive a census form or cannot locate it, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/, or call 1-866-872-6868 for help.

Episcopal News Service