Census Workers

Don't Ignore Those Census Workers

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy Advisor information or citizenship status.

We have until September 30, 2020, to make sure every person in Thurston County is counted. An accurate U.S. Census is critical for each of us because the foundation of public policy is based on 1) how many people there are, and 2) where they live.

The Census is first, and foremost, the method we use to divide the 435 seats in the U.S. House of representatives among the 50 States. Washington State received a new congressional district as the result of the 2010 Census. The new 10th Congressional District seat covers most of Thurston County as determined by the Census. A complete count ten years ago ensured better representation for us in Congress. It is important to note that while Washington added a congressional seat, other states lost seats. A complete Census is the only way we save and protect our representation in Congress.

The Census is used to determine how we divide the State into 49 legislative districts. At the local level, the Census determines the boundaries for the three Thurston County Commissioner districts. The Census is also used to determine voter precincts and council districts in some cities and towns. From the halls of Congress to City hall, a complete Census count matters for public policy work.

The Census is also used to guide the distribution of Federal funds and financial assistance. Census data is combined with other measures to determine if government program providers are eligible for funding and which individuals are eligible for programs. Census data help determine funding for health-related programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, for improving our community's public health. Use of Census data is not just limited to public purposes. Countless private sector business decisions that are dependent on accurate information about an area’s population rely on Census data.

The 2020 Census count started back in March as an online selfprocess. Many residents in the Thurston region took the survey and did not require assistance from Census workers. Beginning in August, Census workers began following up with "non-respondents". This means if you have not completed the survey online, that the Census Bureau will send you reminder emails, phone calls and postcards. Go to https://my2020census.gov/ to complete the Census if you haven't already.

In August, Census workers started going door-to-door to collect information from households that have not self-responded. Census workers wear face masks and follow CDC and local health guidelines while going door-to-door. Census workers have a valid government ID with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date on the badge. They also have a census bag and an iPad or mobile phone with them. You can confirm a census worker’s identity by calling (213) 314- 6500. Please help Census workers to do their job.

We all must complete the Census. Please ask your friends, neighbors, and family to complete the Census and to expect Census workers if they are unable to complete the online form. If you are a business owner, employer or manage workers, please help explain that the Census is important and that Census workers will never ask questions about social security numbers, banking Infants, and Children (WIC). A complete Census count matters

To meet its statutory deadline to deliver the 2020 Census results by December 31, 2020, the Census Bureau announced that it would complete the Census Bureau's data collection phase on September 30, 2020. At that time, all field data collection operations will cease, and the online questionnaire and call centers will shut down. We all must support this urgent work to ensure a complete count.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. The CARES Act delivered over $2 trillion in economic relief to Americans to address the public health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of CARES Act money to States, local and tribal governments is based on the 2010 Census. Almost ten years later, the last Census still matters to all of us. Based on current events, the 2020 Census will matter even more.

DECLASSIFIED Explores...

The Childcare Crisis & Potential Solutions

In Washington State, over half of the annual budget goes toward K-12 education, yet just over one percent of those funds are spent on childcare. The industry has been in crisis for decades, with many parents unable to afford up to $14,000 in annual daycare costs while childcare providers typically earn minimum wage and workforce turnover is high. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced national attention on an issue too long ignored. The topic was the focus of Episode #15 of Declassified, a webinar produced in collaboration between the

Thurston Economic Development Council and the Thurston Chamber of Commerce. Guests Cheryl Fambles, Executive Director of Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, Gary Burris, Executive Director of Child Care Action Council and Jason Robertson, Principal J. Robinson & Co. and Thurston Strong discussed the current crisis, the impacts they’re seeing and potential solutions. For childcare centers, the biggest impact of COVID-19 has been declining enrollment, according to Burris. “Many families chose to keep their children at home,” he says. “We surveyed childcare centers and found that the smaller ones were averaging losses of between $800 and $5,000 a month, whereas the larger centers were losing between $13,000 and $35,000 per month.” Government programs like the Payroll Protection Program helped, but those ended in July. Parents, meanwhile, are scrambling to find solutions for when school resumes remotely. “Parents weren’t planning on paying $800 a month for childcare,” says Burris. “Even if they’re able to work from home, a lot of parents have found it very

by Heidi Smith

difficult to make it through these months and be productive at work.”

The issue disproportionately affects women. Many of the 31 percent of single parents in the state are female and face workforce disparities. “We have moms who are still not being paid what men are being paid,” says Fambles. “With Corona, these folks are in the service industry jobs that are considered vital to our economy, which are lower paid, and they’re not able to pay for these huge costs of childcare. This horrible burden is being borne by some of the folks that are already challenged in the

workforce.” Within Thurston County, many organizations are coming together to work on the problem. The South Sound YMCA and Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County have modified and expanded their services. Thurston Strong launched a childcare grant program that received 126 applications as well as a microgrant program. Burris suggested expanding childcare centers’ capacity to support older students, while PacMtn is exploring potentials for training to ‘upskill’ childcare workers to enable them to open their own businesses. Subsidies, vouchers for parents and a Co-op model of childcare operations were all suggested, along with policy changes to provide greater support for both parents and providers.

“Long-range, this will require a partnership between government and business,” says Robertson. “We have Medicare, we have social security. Childcare needs to be elevated to the same level. It’s a requisite for a strong economy.”

Go to ThurstonChamber.com and click on Events to listen to the full episode.

Caught in the Lens

Thurston County Businesses are back to work! Enjoy this special “Tying Our Community Back Together” edition of Caught In the Lens! For more photos, follow the Thurston County Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber

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Express Employment Professionals The Firs Senior Living Community First Citizens Bank TAGS Awards and Specialties Budd Bay Cafe KeyBank - Martin Way AAA Washington - Inland Michael White Agency - Farmers Insurance Nicholson & Associates Insurance Edward Jones - Dirk Farrar, Financial Advisor Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SW WA Window Genie Jensen Milner - Cap City Law PS Greene Realty Group Charlie's Safari - The Family Fun Center RHD Enterprises, Inc. Madcap Marketing Bakala State Farm Family Education and Support Services Morgan Stanley - Mike Marohn, Financial Advisor 94.5 ROXY T & S Cleaning, Inc.

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GHB Insurance, Inc. The Rants Group Port of Olympia Mills & Mills Funeral Home Heritage Bank - Olympia Puget Sound Energy Community Youth Services L & E Bottling Company, Inc. Saint Martin's University The Creative Office Morningside FORMA Construction Company Columbia Bank - Downtown Olympia Federal Savings - Olympia Wells Fargo Community Bank Nisqually Red Wind Casino South Puget Sound Community College Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Hometown Property Management, Inc. Providence St. Peter Hospital Little Creek Casino & Resort Venables Pest Management Pardiman Productions Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Great Wolf Lodge SCJ Alliance Washington Business Bank Olympia Furniture Company Phillips Burgess, PLLC TwinStar Credit Union - Corporate Office Charter College South Sound Behavioral Hospital American Workforce Group Hooper Financial Services 1st Security Bank Home Lending

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Caliber Home Loans

The Thurston County Chamber sends a BIG THANK YOU to ALL of our investors. With members like you, we are Thank You! able to provide a sustainable business community in Thurston County as well as foster growth and positive change. Only through your support can we continue to fund important community initiatives and lead the way for business.