Census 2010: Forms Arrive in the Mail During March 2010;
Return by April 1, 2010

 NEWS FROM THE ALHAMBRA "COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE"

You’ve probably been seeing and hearing a lot of ads lately pertaining to the upcoming 2010 Census. That is because in March the U.S. Census Bureau will be mailing every household in the U.S. a 2010 Census Survey.

The new U.S. Census Survey is one of the shortest forms in history – containing only 10 questions. While short, it is not to be taken lightly. Remember that an accurate count of the U.S. population forms the basis for many important but often overlooked political, economic, and social decisions that end up affecting our daily lives.

All households are required by law to complete and mail back the census form. Those who do not return it will receive a replacement in the mail. If it is not received in a timely manner, residents can expect a personal visit from a census taker some time after March 2010. The census taker’s job will be to ask you the questions on the form, record your answers and then submit the form to the U.S. Census Bureau on your behalf.

However, before you receive a second form in the mail, a phone call or a visit from a Census Bureau representative, you will be given a few days’ notice with a letter from the Census Bureau Director. This is to assure you that any request for census information from the Census Bureau is clearly identified as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.

If you lose or misplace your form, call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868. (If you prefer speaking to a Spanish-speaking operator, call 1-866-928-2010). The lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week through July 31, 2010. For the hearing-impaired, TDD 1-866-783-2010 (during the times noted above).

If you have any questions or need assistance filling out your U.S. Census Survey, visit http://2010.census.gov, or call upon any of the following Questionnaire Assistance Centers located in the City of Alhambra:

• Alhambra Civic Center Library, 101 S. First St.      
• Alhambra Unified School District, Scanlon Center, 15 W. Alhambra Rd.   
• First Baptist Church of Alhambra, 101 S. Atlantic Blvd.     
• Mandarin Baptist Church of L.A., 101 W. Woodward Ave.     
• Joslyn Adult Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave.      
• YMCA West San Gabriel, 401 E. Corto St.       
• Plaza Printing, 126 E. Valley Blvd.      
• U2 Café, 1200 E. Valley Blvd.

The Census Bureau is also establishing "Be Counted" sites, where copies of the Census form in five non-English languages can be picked up. The languages are Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and Russian. In Alhambra, all Questionnaire Assistance Centers will also be "Be Counted" sites, and there will also be an additional "Be Counted" site at

• U2 Café, 1200 E. Valley Blvd.

 WHY THE CENSUS IS IMPORTANT 
 
Participation in the census process is important because the data collected from census questionnaires is used to allocate more than $300 million per year in federal and state funding to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation, and much more. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period! Census data is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures. Spending a few minutes to fill out the census form will help ensure that Alhambra gets its fair share of federal and state funding.

Because participation is required by law, all residents must be counted in the census including people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens (even those without lawful documentation must participate and will not be prosecuted or deported as a result of doing so). Confidentiality is ensured by law under Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9. All Census Bureau employees must take an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, fine – or both – for disclosing information that could identify a respondent or household.

To help ensure that the nation’s increasingly diverse population is accurately reflected in the census data, language guides will be available in 59 languages – with census questionnaires available in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian.

 APPLYING FOR A CENSUS JOB
 
Because the U.S. population is more diverse than ever before, the Census Bureau will need to hire people who are bilingual. Most positions require U.S. citizenship, a driver’s license and use of a vehicle. Each applicant for a Census job will undergo a background check. Every worker must also take an oath for life to protect the confidentiality of census responses. Violation would result in a jail term of up to five years and/or fine of up to $250,000. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s answers with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies. For additional information, call 866-861-2010. A practice test and more information are available online at www.2010censusjobs.gov.

To find out additional information about the 2010 U.S. Census, visit www.census.gov. To view a brief video clip, entitled "2010 Census: A New Portrait of America," click here.