FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: press@census.ca.gov 916-214-9266 (cell)
To request an interview, please contact Diana Crofts-Pelayo.
* PRESS RELEASE*
California Census Campaign Announces Four New Ambassadors
SACRAMENTO – The California For All – Census 2020 Campaign today announced an additional four Census Digital Ambassadors – young, diverse influencers from sports, music and television who will help reach, educate and empower the hardest-to-count Californians to participate in the 2020 Census, which is now under way.
The Census campaign continues to remind Californians that they can respond to the Census online at https://my2020census.gov, by phone by calling the numbers available below, or by mail if they received a paper form. Most households that have not responded to the Census should receive a paper form in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The following influencers have committed to leveraging their platforms and voices to promote Census participation among hard-to-count Californians:
- Jonathan Dos Santos, profesional soccer player;
- Devin Dawson, country music artist;
- Kausar Mohammed, comedic actress;
- Martin Sensmeier, Native American actor and activist of Tlingit and Koyukon Athabascan descent.
These individuals join 21 other Census ambassadors, including Sacramento Kings star Harrison Barnes, actor Danny Trejo and internet personality Jesus Garcia who joined the campaign earlier this year.
“I’m really, really proud to be a born and raised Californian, and now and I’m honored to be considered as a California Census Ambassador,” said Devin Dawson, country music singer and hit songwriter.
“The 2020 Census is the most important of our lifetimes. With most Californians staying at home, and many worried about the future as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, it is critical that we complete the Census, and bring resources and representation to our families and communities. These inspiring Ambassadors key to helping us ensure Californians have a complete count” said Ditas Katague, Director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office.
Census Ambassadors were selected for their ability to reach the hardest-to-count communities in California, using their influence on social media channels to encourage their audiences to participate in the Census. They join a historically diverse coalition led by the California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office and comprising hundreds of regional and statewide partners. The state’s comprehensive outreach and multi-media campaign encourages all Californians to participate in the Census as soon as possible and provides them with culturally sensitive and in-language support.
What Californians Need to Know About the 2020 Census:
- The Census is a simple, confidential 9 question survey
- Questions include name, address, sex, race, ethnicity, age, and whether you own or rent the home
- Californians should self-identify in regard to race, ethnicity and gender
- Make sure you count everyone in your home, including any friends or family members who are living and sleeping there most of the time
- The Census Bureau will never ask about your citizenship status, or for sensitive information like your social security number, bank accounts, or payments/donations
- The Census Bureau will never reach out to you on behalf of a political party
- Your responses to the Census are protected by law and cannot be shared with, or used by, any other government agencies. Answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes, to determine eligibility for government benefits or immigration enforcement
Why California’s Participation Counts
Ensuring every California household participates in the Census is critically important. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census determines how billions of dollars of federal funding are distributed to each state every year for education resources, affordable housing programs, nutrition and health care services, and more. Estimates show that for every person uncounted, California could lose $1,000 a year for 10 years. That’s as much as $10,000 per person in funds lost over the next decade.
The Census also determines the state’s political representation through the number of representatives in the U.S. Congress and the California State Legislature. Participating in the Census can help ensure Californians’ voices are heard in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
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The California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office
Once each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States. California leaders have invested $187.2 million toward a statewide outreach and communication campaign.
DATA: To see data on the hard-to-count populations in cities, counties, congressional and legislative districts in California, please visit: https://census.ca.gov/htcfactsheets/.
FILL OUT THE FORM BY PHONE:
| LANGUAGE LINE | TOLL-FREE NUMBER |
| English | 844-330-2020 |
| Spanish | 844-468-2020 |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 844-391-2020 |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 844-398-2020 |
| Vietnamese | 844-461-2020 |
| Korean | 844-392-2020 |
| Russian | 844-417-2020 |
| Arabic | 844-416-2020 |
| Tagalog | 844-478-2020 |
| Polish | 844-479-2020 |
| French | 844-494-2020 |
| Haitian Creole | 844-477-2020 |
| Portuguese | 844-474-2020 |
| Japanese | 844-460-2020 |
| Telephone Display Device (TDD) | 844-467-2020 |
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