LOC News
RFP for Census Assistance Centers Announced
The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette intends to award $2 million for the establishment of Census Assistance Centers (CAC) around the state. CACs are locations where “Hard to Count” (HTC) people can fill-out their census online. CACs need to have a strong and direct connection with the communities they serve and are places where a member of the HTC community would be comfortable visiting. In order to serve as a CAC, an organization should have:
- A publicly accessible physical space open evenings and weekends from April to July 2020;
- Internet-connected computers available for public use;
- Staff available to answer questions and support public in taking the census online;
- The ability to provide information and assistance in the language of the communities to be served; and
- A commitment to participating in a required one-day training at an Ambassadors Summit with the #WeCountOregon Campaign. (Dates and locations TBD)
Cities may apply for this assistance or work with a community organization to apply. Individual grants will range from $20,000 - $40,000.
However, cities may wish to establish a CAC with or without funding, as the dispersal of federal funds from 55 programs is based on per capita formulas determined by decennial census counts. Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau currently estimated that Oregon’s population has grown by 8.1%. If that count holds true, Oregon will most likely receive a sixth Congressional seat. An interactive map produced by the Population Research Center at Portland State University provides additional information on HTC populations in individual parts of the state.
Contact: Scott Winkels, Lobbyist - swinkels@orcities.org
Last Updated 11/8/19
Related Articles
- Is Your City Hard to Count - LOC Bulletin, Oct. 25, 2019
- 2020 Census Resource page