By By Kerry Whipple Bean
and Lisa Tindell
Municipal and county governments and agencies rely on accurate census information for federal funding — and an accurate count depends on residents returning their census forms.
Surveys for the 2010 Census will arrive at homes in mid-March and should be mailed back in April. Anyone who does not return a Census form will receive a reminder postcard at the end of April, with door-to-door Census taker visits expected to begin in May.
The census — authorized by the U.S. Constitution to take place every 10 years — attempts to give an accurate count of every resident in the Untied States.
This year’s census form has 10 questions seeking basic information about residents. Census data is kept confidential.
Barnes said agencies like hers rely on the information to help residents.
Census data is used to allocate funds for aid such as Title 1 school grants; Head Start programs; Women, Infants and Children programs; public transportation; road rehabilitation and construction;, programs for the elderly; emergency food and shelter; and empowerment zones.
Census jobs will also be available to residents, said Mellinie House, Census partnership specialist in Alabama.
The minimum age to work is 18, and a background check will be conducted. Available positions include census takers, crew leaders, crew leader assistants, recruiting assistants and census clerks.
Anyone interested in a census job can visit the Web site www.2010censusjobs.gov or call toll-free job line at 866-861-2010 for additional information.