On February 24, 2020 West Hartford’s Great by 8, led by Amy Yarbrough, a program of the Bridge Family Center held its monthly Collaborative meeting. Their special guest was Catherine Marx with Census2020.

The Census is given every ten years and has been since 1790. The Census determines how much funding the federal government will distribute to states. It also factors into the redistricting of states in relation to the electoral college. It is so important to communicate how crucial it is to have every person, especially young children counted for. An estimated 5 percent of children under the age of five weren’t counted in the 2010 Census, which is approximately 1 million children—the highest of any age group. The folks at Census2020 are asking those who work in the community to help them close this gap by holding community forums to get the facts out so people are willing and comfortable in taking the Census. There is disinformation being spread about the data that is collected, please help to spread the facts.

If you are interested in hosting a forum or providing information sheets to families you serve please contact Catherine Marx (pictured) at 603-738-7288 or visit www.2020census.gov.