Media Contact: Jeff Hamilton, Planning Department
(818) 937-8157

For Immediate Release February 9, 2010

Did you know that every year Glendale receives millions of tax dollars for street repairs, affordable housing, disaster preparedness and community policing? On an annual basis, more than $400 billion are distributed to communities nationwide. Population is one of the factors used to determine this funding. That’s why it is so important for every resident in the City of Glendale to be counted in the 2010 Census.

The questionnaire that will be mailed in mid-March consists of just 10 questions which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The goal of the Census is to count every person in the US as of “Census Day,” April 1, 2010. In addition to determining how federal funding is disbursed, population determines the number of seats each state will have in the House of Representatives. Census data is used by local, state and federal officials to decide where to make transportation improvements, where to plan for more housing and many other long-range planning activities.

Answers are completely confidential and protected by law. Personal details, such as the name of the respondent, cannot be shared with anyone including all Government agencies.

The City of Glendale formed the Complete Count Committee for the 2010 Census in early 2009. It has been meeting regularly since late fall and includes members of the community. A consultant was hired in November to assist City staff and the Committee with outreach and liaison duties. Subcommittees have now been formed to focus on particular groups that are either at risk of being undercounted, or that will help promote the Census. These subcommittees include individuals from the following groups:

• Armenian
• Filipino/Latino/Churches
• Community Service Organizations
• Schools
• Merchants
• City staff

Tasks accomplished by the subcommittees include:

• Creation of an Armenian-language phone number, staffed by City employees, for Census questions;
• Development of a City Census 2010 website (glendalecensus.org);
• Distribution of posters and flyers created by the Census Bureau to various City facilities;
• A poster designed and installed at some 20 bus shelters south of the 134 Freeway;
• Flyers and posters made available at virtually all public counters in City facilities;
• Bookmarks ordered for distribution by all Glendale library branches;
• The preparation of advertising to be displayed inside Beeline buses;
• Advertising on movie screens at the Americana, the Exchange and the Marketplace theaters;
• Public service announcements on GTV6;
• The purchase of buttons and T-shirts for volunteers to wear when they canvas neighborhoods with Census information. It is anticipated that to 2-4 such events will be held before the end of March;
• The designation of many locations around the City as “Questionnaire Assistance Centers” at which Census Bureau staff will be available from March 19 to April 19 to help people with the questionnaire;
• The taping of interviews to run on GTV6 with representatives from various Complete Count subcommittees.

Glendale Unified School District has coordinated a slogan and poster contest for middle and high school students. The City printed the flyers which will be distributed by GUSD. The winning designs from the contest will be showcased on the movie screens beginning mid or late March.

The Census Bureau has several resources available to people or groups who want more information about the 2010 Census. Teachers and students can visit the “Census in Schools” web link at http://www.census.gov/schools/index.html. Teachers will find lesson plans and teaching kits. Both elementary and high school students will find games, activities and historical information to engage them.

Businesses can download the “Business Fact Sheet from the Partners” web link at http://2010.census.gov/partners/materials/outreach-materials.php, to learn more about the Census and how businesses can partner with the Census Bureau to promote the effort. Religious organizations can get similar information by downloading the “Faith-Based Organization Fact Sheet” from the same web link.

Complete Count Committee members are available and eager to speak with community groups, organizations, and churches to ensure that all Glendale residents are counted. If you are willing to help the city “get out the word,” contact Jeff Hamilton in the Planning Department at (818) 937-8157 for more information. You can also visit the City’s Census 2010 website at http://www.Glendalecensus.org or the Census Bureau’s website at http://2010.census.gov/2010census.

Important upcoming dates are:

March 8th - 10th Announcement letter sent to each household
March 15th – 31st Initial mailing of Census form to each household – all recipients should complete and return the form
March 29th – 31st Census Homeless Enumeration Program
April 1st CENSUS DAY
April 1st – 10th Replacement form mailed to households that have not yet returned it
April 22nd – 24th Reminder Postcard mailed to households
May 1st – July 10th Door to door follow-up to non-respondents to collect information

For more details about any of the information provided in this release, contact Jeff Hamilton at 818-937-8157.

###