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about_iconAbout the Census

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, our nation gets just one chance each decade to count its population. The U.S. census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years. The data collected by the census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.

The next census in 2020 will require counting an increasingly diverse and growing population of around 330 million people in more than 140 million housing units. To get an accurate count, the Census Bureau must build an accurate address list of every housing unit, maximize self-response to the census, and efficiently follow up with those who do not respond.

Why a census

The information the Census collects helps determine how more than $675 billion of federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year.

A census aims to count the entire population of a country, and at the location where each person usually lives. The census asks questions of people in homes and group living situations, including how many people live or stay in each home, and the sex, age and race of each person. The goal is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place.

How the census benefits a community

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, and this creates jobs. Developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods. Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.


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fundingApp_iconSuffolk County Census Funding Application

We are pleased to announce the release of a request for proposals for the Suffolk County Census 2020 Get Out the Count Grants Program.

Suffolk County seeks proposal submissions which prioritize populations and communities that were undercounted in the 2010 census and are at risk of being undercounted in 2020. The submission deadline for nonprofit organizations and towns is February 21st, 5PM; for school districts it is February 25, 5PM. Proposals will not be accepted after the deadlines.

The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF), a division of the New York Community Trust, is serving as Suffolk County’s primary contractor and will receive proposals through the New York Community Trust’s grant portal: https://proposals.nycommunitytrust.org/. (You will find the application instructions here)

Please note the following:

  • Nonprofit organizations must prequalify with the State (link embedded in application instructions), even if you have already been prequalified through grants gateway. The State will notify organizations directly, however organizations may contact the Department of Labor if they have not heard
  • While the prequalification eligibility guidelines include having contracted with the State and County within the last five years, and prequalification through grants gateway, it is not a requirement for prequalification approval.
  • Once in the grants portal, select the tab “Respond to an RFP”
  • When you see the Suffolk County Census 2020 Get Out the Count RFP, you will see “download instructions” and “apply”; first select “download instructions”. This provides the steps and links necessary to successfully complete the proposal and submit it via the NY Community Trust’s portal. This also will include the types of activities that are allowed through this program.
  • The proposal components include a narrative, budget and outreach worksheets, a copy of the organization’s insurance, the organization’s annual budget, and acknowledgement by the State that you have completed the prequalification application (the applicant does not have to be approved prior to applying for the Suffolk County grants program), and a NYCT proposal cover sheet
  • The outreach and budget worksheets are in one excel file with two tabs (link embedded in the application instructions)
  • The “apply” tab in the grants portal, contains the Proposal Cover Sheet however it is recommended that you complete and gather all requisite documents and combine into a single PDF prior to completing the cover sheet since you will need to upload the PDF into it
  • Administrative costs must not exceed 1 percent of the total budget, and the grant request should not exceed 20 percent of the organization’s annual budget
  • If your organization plans to pay staff, volunteers, or consultants, please be sure that you can provide them a W-9 or 1099 in order for it to be an eligible expense.
  • Mileage is an authorized travel expense; standard mileage rate is 57.5 cents. “Swag” is not an eligible expense
  • Suffolk County and LICF will review proposal submissions, and selected organizations’ work plans will inform Suffolk County’s proposal to the New York State Census 2020 Complete Count Outreach Grant Program
  • Final decisions will be announced on March 10.

In addition to the NYCT grants portal, you can find information about the grants program on LICF’s website and on Suffolk County’s website.

We recognize that this is an incredibly short turn around time period, and we apologize for that inconvenience. If you have questions, please email me and include “Suffolk County Grant Program” in the subject line. You also can contact Vanessa Baird Streeter at Vanessa.Baird-Streeter@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Deepest gratitude for the work you have been doing to ensure that all Suffolk County residents are fairly and adequately counted – the future of our children, families, and region depends on it.


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about_iconSuffolk County Complete Census Count Committee

In January, 2019, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the creation of the Suffolk County Complete Count Committee to ensure that all county residents are accurately counted and represented in the 2020 U.S. Census. The goal of the County’s Complete Count Committee is to maximize participation, increase the response rate and educate residents on how to respond. For the first time, the 2020 U.S. Census will allow residents to respond online, in addition to by phone or mail.

“An accurate U.S. Census count is vital to not only ensuring everyone is represented, but to ensuring Suffolk County residents get the appropriate state and federal funding,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “Through the work of the Suffolk County Complete Count Committee, our communities can rest assured that Suffolk will be as prepared as possible to guarantee everyone is counted, regardless of race, gender, age or sexual orientation.”

The Committee will is comprised of local governments, business organizations, advocacy organizations, ministerial and community organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census.

Complete Count Committees are volunteer committees established by state governments, local governments, community leaders and organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census. Complete Count Committees play an integral part in ensuring a complete and accurate count of the community in the 2020 Census. During the 2010 Census, nationwide, there were over 10,000 Complete Count Committees formed with the Census Bureau.

Subcommittees

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Business

 Business Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Matt Cohen, LIA

CO-CHAIR: Mitch Pally, LIBI

 Business Subcommittee Members

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Communications

CO-CHAIR: MaryKate Guilfoyle, Suffolk County Comms Dept.

CO-CHAIR: Vanessa Baird Streeter, Suffolk County Executive Office

 Communication Subcommittee Members

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Early Childhood

 Early Childhood Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Jen Rojas, Child Care Council of Suffolk

 Early Childhood Subcommittee Members

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Education

 Education Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Michael Nagler, Mineola School District

CO-CHAIR: Lars Clemensen, Hampton Bays School District

 Education Subcommittee Members

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Faith Based

 Faith-Based Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Reverend Pearson, Suffolk County Youth Bureau

CO-CHAIR: Pastor Falcon, Faith Alive

 Faith Based Subcommittee Members

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Immigrants

 Immigrant Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Olga El Sehamy, Suffolk County

CO-CHAIR: Eliana Fernandez, Make the Road

 Immigration of Nassau Subcommittee Members

 Immigration of Suffolk Subcommittee Members

local government_icon

Local Government

 Suffolk Local Govt Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Ed Moltzen, Suffolk County Shared Services

CO-CHAIR: Vanessa Baird Streeter, Suffolk County

 Nassau Local Government Subcommittee Members

 Suffolk Local Government Subcommittee Members

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People of Color

 Leaders in Communities of Color Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Tracey Edwards, Habitat for Humanity Suffolk

CO-CHAIR: Marianela Casas, Nassau County Police Department

 People of Color Subcommittee Members

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Senior Citizens

 Senior Citizen Leaders Census Toolkit

CO-CHAIR: Holly Rhodes-Teague, Suffolk County Office for the Aging

CO-CHAIR: Caroline Ashby, Nassau Library System

 Seniors Subcommittee Members


To engage the community support for an accurate and complete 2020 Census, County Executive Steve Bellone recommended the establishment and appointment of the Suffolk County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee (CCC). The Committee’s mission is to develop and implement a public awareness program to inform Suffolk county residents about the importance and benefits of completing and submitting the 2020 Census questionnaire and to encourage every Suffolk county household to participate.

The Suffolk County Complete Count Committee (CCC) is organized into 9 subcommittees: Business, Communications, Early Childhood, Education, Faith Based, Immigrant, Local Government, People of Color, and Senior Citizens. A broad cross-section of Suffolk County residents volunteered to serve on these subcommittees, and each of the individuals listed has confirmed his or her commitment to serve on the CCC. In addition to the community representatives listed below, we will continue to appoint and add additional committee members as needed.

 Suffolk County Hard to Count Map

 Suffolk County Hard to Count Map Guide

 Suffolk County Hard to Count Map by Legislative District

 Suffolk County Hard to Count Map Presentation


 June 21st Complete Count Committee Presentation

 February 13th Minutes - Complete Committee


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about_iconResources

 Residency (where people are counted)

 Census Counts 2020

 Mapping Hard to Count (HTC) Communities for a Fair and Accurate 2020 Census

 Allocation of Funds from 55 Large Federal Spending Programs

 Indigenous Suffolk Counts - Flyer 1

 Indigenous Suffolk Counts - Flyer 2

 Indigenous Suffolk Counts - Flyer 3

Census Faith Toolkit:

The 2020 Census Faith Council, convened by Faith in Public Life and Shepherding the Next Generation, published this toolkit for their Census Faith Ambassador initiative.

 New York Counts 2020

 Civil and Human Rights 2020 Census

 Funders' Committee FCI Briefing Series

Aligned National and State Engagement:

There is an infrastructure of national stakeholder organizations developing materials in English and other languages and providing training and technical assistance to help state and local groups. To ensure aligned messaging and engagement, state and local organizations are encouraged to reach out to these organizations for training and information on best practices. National Stakeholder Organizations, including but not limited to:

  1. State Voices – Census 101
  2. Faith in the Public Life
  3. ReadyNation, a project of Council for a Strong America – An Accurate Census is Essential for Business
  4. NALEO Educational Fund - Make 2020 Census Count!
  5. Strong Nation - Shepherding the Next Generation, a project of Council for a Strong America
  6. Asian Americans Advancing Justice|AAJC - Census 2020, Count Us In
  7. African Americans in the 2020 Census
  8. National Congress of American Indians – Census 2020
  9. National LGBTQ Task Force – We’re Queering the Census Big Time!

 Information on Counting Incarcerated Persons

 2020 Census Get Prepared


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about_iconEmployment Opportunities

The enumeration process is quite an undertaking and will require the recruitment and training of many individuals in helping the Census Bureau achieves a complete count. The county of Suffolk is working with the Census Bureau to provide information to the residents of the county in acquiring one of many positions that will be available in the coming months. Please visit the 2020 Census Jobs website to learn more about openings in Suffolk County.

 2020 Census Jobs


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hands_iconPartners

Rebecca Sanin

President and CEO

150 Broadhollow Road
Suite 118
Melville, NY 11747

P: 516-505-4423

F: 516-483-4794

rsanin@hwcli.com

www.hwcli.com

Lori Andrade

Partnership Specialist

150 Broadhollow Road, Suite 118
Melville, NY 11747

O: 516-505-4422

F: 516-483-4794

landrade@hwcli.com

Mary Hallowell

Office Affairs and Special Projects Manager

150 Broadhollow Road, Suite 118
Melville, NY 11747

P: 516-505-4427

F: 516-483-4794

mhallowell@hwcli.com

www.hwcli.com


Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones

Senior Program Officer

900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 205
Melville, New York 11747

P: 631-991-8800, ext. 232

sjones@licf.org

Nicole D. Bailey

Senior Partnership Specialist

New York Regional Census Center

Suffolk County, NY
Field Division U.S. Census Bureau

P: 929-386-8274

Nicole.d.bailey@2020census.gov


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phone_iconContact

Vanessa B. Streeter

Chair, Suffolk County Complete Count Committee

Assistant Deputy County Executive

100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788

631-853-7801

Vanessa.baird-streeter@suffolkcountyny.gov

Yesika I. Fernandez

Partnership Specialist

New York Regional Census Center

C: 518-894-3774

yesika.i.fernandez@2020census.gov

Steven Collins

Suffolk County Partnership Specialist

C: 973-932-3856

Steven.collins@2020Census.gov

Nicole D. Bailey

Senior Partnership Specialist

Suffolk County, NY
Field Division U.S. Census Bureau

C: 929-386-8274

Nicole.d.bailey@2020Census.gov


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Suffolk County Government

H. Lee Dennison Bldg

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Riverhead County Center

County Road 51
Riverhead, NY 11901