As we approach the national phenomenon of recording all individuals who call America home, referred to as the Census, it is important to note how the data collected affects young children across the country. A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trust indicates Mississippi remains on the federal dole, with federal tax dollars making up 43.3 percent of state revenue — nearly as much as it collects in taxes.
The allocation of Federal funds for the 11 programs our State elected officials use to “run the business of the state” is directly tied to Census numbers. According to a Distribution of Federal Funds report issued by George Washington University in 2017, funding at the national level for Medicaid ($312 billion), Head Start/Early Head Start ($8.3 billion), Highway and Planning and Construction ($38.3 billion), National School Lunch Program ($11.6 billion) and State Children’s Health Insurance Program ($11.1 billion) are but a few national programs where funding is dependent on the Census numbers for each state.
Not only does the Census determine the amount of Federal funds a state receives, the count also determines the number of US House of Representatives each state is allocated. Again, if individuals in Mississippi are undercounted our state may lose a Congressional seat and therefore representation on matters related to our state as well as the country. For a state so dependent on Federal dollars to “keep the lights on”, we must not lose any representation.
The Social Science Research Center, Family and Children Research Unit, reported this year that in 2015 for every lost child in the Census Count, $2,700 Federal funds were lost to the state. In Mississippi, if we undercount 5% of our children in the 2020 Census we will lose $20,000,000 ANNUALLY (based on 2015 budget figures).
Certain areas of the state are in danger of undercounting and an aggressive campaign must be planned and executed for us to realize all the Federal funds for which we are entitled. Each state receives Federal funding to establish and implement a system by which individuals, including babies, are recorded. Full and part time jobs will be available for individuals to assist the census with data entry as well as traditionally collecting family information (door to door). Community gathering places such as churches, schools, libraries, health centers, food stamp offices and other government locations are excellent places to “set up” recording locations. The Census Bureau has set up a website for further information https://www.census.gov/fieldjobs that provides employment opportunities as well.
As dependent as our state is on federal funding, we need the best and most accurate count possible. In this effort we need to count our chickens as soon as they hatch.
Cathy Grace, Ed.D.