The United States Constitution requires that every ten years there be a census of “every person living in the United States.” This requirement was established to determine Congressional district boundaries. But the census has become an important element of American life.
It not only determines legislative districts, but census data is used to distribute federal and state funds. Population information is used to distribute federal Community Development Block Grants as well as support for social services such as WIC and food stamps. It determines the level of federal reimbursement to the states for the Medicaid program. It’s estimated that over $2,100 in direct federal funding per person per year is distributed in a decade based on each person counted in the census. It is also estimated that typically 4% of the population isn’t counted. For Berks County that could mean the loss of over $360 million in direct federal funding.
Census data is used distribute highway and public transportation funds, the location of assets like libraries, parks and playgrounds, and support for police and public safety monies.
Community planning depends on knowing how many people are here and where they’re going to and coming from. This data gives us an accurate picture of our housing stock and where we may need to improve. And it helps us understand the significance of the outbreak of diseases and other public health impacts.
Learn why a complete count is important for Berks County and what is being done to ensure that everyone is counted. Learn more about how this information will be collected and used. What questions will be asked? How confidential will your information be?
And there will be an opportunity to learn about job opportunities working with the Census.
Event to be held Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (EDT) REGISTER HERE
Schmidt Center
Reading Area Community College , Reading PA 19602
10 South Second Street
Reading, PA 19602
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Our Presenters include:
- Kevin Barnhardt, Berks County Commissioner
- Mike Golembiewski, Berks County Planner. Mike has worked on two previous Complete Count Committees
- Isabel Monterrosa, Berks Complete Count Publicity Coordinator. Isabel worked on the 2010 Complete Count Committee
- Steven A Mannino , Census Recruiter for Berks County
- Erin Yasenchak, U.S. Census Bureau-Philadelphia Regional Census Center
Upcoming Berks Alliance Forums
- Thursday October 17th 11:30 to 1 PM, Schmidt Center at RACC–Lessons From Allentown
- Thursday November 21st 11:30 to 1 PM Schmidt Center at RACC–Riding the Rails-Restoring Passenger Train Service to Reading
