With the Census Bureau slowly re-starting field operations, it’s a good time to take stock of the level of transparency needed to mobilize the nation for a complete count in these times of COVID.
We have long known that the 2020 Census will require an all-hands-on-deck approach. Counting those who are hardest to reach (people of color, complex households, families with young children, LGBTQ individuals, etc.) requires the Census Bureau to coordinate with organizations these populations trust. With this in mind, the bureau has cultivated a national network of thousands of Complete Count Committees and Partners. These nonprofits, faith organizations, local governments, businesses, and community-based organizations serve as trusted voices to reach communities skeptical of the census.
I know first-hand why transparency matters during crises. After the levees failed and flooded 80 percent of New Orleans in Hurricane Katrina, the recovery effort was massive. It required the government to lead and bring these same stakeholders together. As director of Enterprise Information for the City of New Orleans.