The following steps summarize what is expected of each governmental
unit that retains the services of the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct a
Special Census. Whereas the Census Bureau collects and tabulates the
data, the governmental unit plays a major role in ensuring the success
and accuracy of the Special Census through recruitment, community outreach,
and provision of basic administrative services, such as payrolling staff
and providing office space.
1) Request a Cost Estimate from the Census Bureau for your Special Census.
2)
Sign Memorandum of Understanding and make initial payment for Census Bureau's services. Place
in "reserves" the estimated funds required to pay temporary field staff.
3) Meet with Census Bureau's Regional Office staff to make plans for
Special Census.
4) Review and update Special Census Boundary and Annexation Survey maps
and return to Census Bureau.
5) Recruit local job applicants for Special Census that results in
a diverse applicant pool that is five times greater than the number
of actual
jobs.
6) Provide space for testing applicants and training enumerators, crew
leaders, and office clerks.
7) Inform and motivate your residents to be counted in the Special Census
through community newsletters, public television, advertisements, public
meeting announcements, press releases, church bulletin announcements,
school programs, and other outreach venues that communicate to your residents
the importance of being counted.
8) Provide office space for Census Bureau staff that work on the Special Census in your community that can securely house Title 13 Confidential
Data and is accessible only to Census Bureau staff during the day,
evenings, and weekends. The office space needs to be secure and accessible
to census
employees for 3 to 5 weeks during the data collection phase. Depending
on the size of your Special Census, the average office space needs
to have
3 to 5 phone lines, a fax machine, and basic office furniture, including
tables, desks, and chairs. The Special Census Supervisor and support
staff will work from this office space.
9) Pay temporary census employees that work on your Special Census based
on invoices provided by the Census Bureau's local office.
10) Review preliminary count information immediately following the data
collection phase.
11) Receive certified population and housing counts for your Special Census approximately
90 days after data collection has been completed. Detailed data products at the block and tract level
will be provided within 14 days after you receive certified counts.
If you have additional questions about conducting a Special Census in
your community, please review the FAQ section on
this Web site, or contact Mike Stump or Adriana Gonzalez at the Office of Special Censuses via e-mail or
phone at 301-763-1429.