Sam Fettig, Minnesota Partnership Coordinator called to say there is still time to sign up to be a 2020 census worker.
The 2020 census must be completed by the end of September and the push is on to get as many people to sign up as possible.
“Workers can put in as little as five hours per week to 40 hours per week,” he said, adding the census bureau was offering up to an $800 bonus if certain criteria are met. “We try to encourage people to work as much or little as they want to.”
As far as completing and turning in their forms, the City of Grand Marais has a 49.6 percent rate while the county sits at 30.5 percent, the lowest of all of Minnesota’s 87 counties to report. “Lake of Woods, which is much like Cook County geographically, has a 32.7 percent return rate,” he added.
“Minnesota has 1000 census workers out in the field. We are number one nationally in self-response reporting at 71 percent. Wisconsin was number one for awhile but we passed them up.”
Currently the nation self-response rate is 61.5 percent.
Fettig blamed the lower response in Cook County in part on the long delay caused by COVID-19, which caused workers to lose three months to contact people.
“We are trying to get a complete and accurate count of everyone in the state,” he said.
One more mailing will go out to those who haven’t filled out a form. That paper copy will arrive by September 15. Fettig urges everyone to respond. “It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete the form. You can complete your form online, by phone, or by mail. It’s important to respond. It helps everyone in your community over the next decade.”
Based on the return rate, census results are used to help determine how money is allocated for Head Start, grants for teachers and special education, programs for wildlife, programs to prevent child abuse, housing assistance for older adults, school lunches, support for firefighters, plans for highways, and the money also provides help for families in need, among other things.
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