An accurate count could mean more funds for much-relied-upon programs used by low-income families in rural communities like those in Northeast Michigan.

The count will also determine how political district lines are redrawn and could impact our representation in Washington.

This year, the Michigan Nonprofit Association, and many of its members — including the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan — will work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to educate people on how to take part in the census and the potential impact to vital federally and state-funded programs, such as food stamps, Head Start, Medicare and Medicaid, Women, Infants, Children, and free and reduced-price lunches for students.

Federal and state allocations for programs that offer energy payment assistance and housing would also be reduced if people go uncounted.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Deb Ballor laughs as she readies Alpena High School students’ lunches on Thursday.

The federal government gave Michigan $17.7 billion to distribute to initiatives around the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Current funding projections show communities like Alpena could lose $1,800 per year for 10 years for each uncounted person.

That’s big money that would be difficult to recoup.

If there is a decrease in government funding allocations, local charitable organizations would surely be asked to make up for the shortfall, increasing the high demand for assistance they already have, officials said.

The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan will lead the charge in the area to help people realize what’s at stake.

Executive Director Patrick Heraghty said the foundation has provided mini-grants to local nonprofits for projects that would help spread the word on the census and get as many people as possible to participate. The News is partnering with the Alpena County Library on one such grant-funded project.

“The state of Michigan is the second in the nation in terms of what it receives for federal funding, and it is about 42% of our state budget (that) comes through federal sources,” Heraghty said. “That is why it is so important to count everybody.”

UNDERCOUNTED AREAS

Northeast Michigan may actually be at a lower risk of undercounting than elsewhere in the state, according to Census data.

The share of residents who returned mailed questionnaires in the 2010 census was 87.5% in Alpena County, 91% in Presque Isle County, 85.2% in Montmorency County, and 89% in Alcona County, compared to 84% statewide, the Census says.

The remaining households had to be visited by an in-person enumerator, increasing the risk that someone was missed.

But the response rates vary widely even within a county. Northwestern Montmorency County, for example, had an only 81% response rate in 2010, while the southeastern edge of Alpena County topped 90%.

MAKING IT EASY

Heraghty said those most at risk of not being counted are those who stand to lose the most and need the programs which could lose funding, including children, seniors, and those who are low income.

In an effort to get a more accurate count, the government this year will allow people to use the internet to participate. The thought is that, with the popularity of mobile technology, more people will take the time to complete the short survey.

But that won’t help a large share of the population, including large chunks of Northeast Michigan. About a quarter of households in Alpena County and a third of households in Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alcona counties lack internet access, according to the Census Bureau.

People will also be able to use telephones and paper surveys by mail to be counted.

In March, most people will receive an invite to participate in the census. They will get several other reminders in the mail before an actual questionnaire. At the end of April, those who haven’t taken part in the census through mail or online can expect a knock on their door from a census worker seeking to get the information the government needs.

U.S. Census Bureau spokeswoman Kristina Barrett said the use of the internet will make it easy for people to participate and will reduce the cost of the census. She said the government is aware some people may be leery of doing the count online because of concerns over hacks or identity theft, but she said the public can be assured the proper protections will be in place and the information will only be seen by those who are conducting the census.

“We have a robust program in place to protect information as we collect, process, and store it in our IT systems,” she said in an email to The News.

Barrett said there are also measures in place to be sure that people don’t try to cheat the system by filing more than once, which could in turn lead to a flawed count and inaccurate distribution of funds and congressional realignment.

“We have a variety of systems in place to ensure people are not counted twice — there are different programs based on mode of response with redundant checks at the computer and human level,” she said.

CENSUS TAKERS NEEDED

Despite the use of phone and internet, there is still a need for employees to help conduct the census.

According to Heraghty, finding enough people to work may be difficult. He said that, when the last census was conducted in 2010, many people were still seeking work after the Great Recession. This time around, he said, there are more people already employed.

Barrett said the government is looking to hire 500,000 and hope to hire people who will work in their communities, because they may be able to get more of their neighbors to take part than someone from out of the area knocking on doors. She said pay varies from $13 an hour to $30 an hour, the hours are flexible, and the Census offers paid training.

“We’ll begin selecting census takers in January and start paid training in March,” Barrett said. “Census taker positions provide the perfect opportunity for students, retirees, and part-time or seasonal workers to earn some extra income while helping your community. We’re looking for people who are bilingual in English and another language spoken within their communities to ensure an accurate count.”

For more information on census employment or to apply, visit 2020census.gov/jobs.

The results of the census must be complete by January 2021.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.

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