Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley is Committed to Making Sure Everyone is Counted in the 2020 Census

The organization is ramping up outreach to ensure San Gabriel Valley community members understand the importance of the 2020 Census and households complete their census form.

Altadena, Calif. — The 2020 Census is taking place from March through July of 2020, and Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) is committed to supporting a fair and accurate count. The 2020 Census plays a significant role in ensuring that billions of federal dollars, including health care funding, are sent where they are needed. PPPSGV is a leading organization in the San Gabriel Valley conducting census outreach and implementing census education programs at Planned Parenthood health centers, community events, and sex education workshops.

All PPPSGV health centers will be equipped with informational handouts on the 2020 Census, and trained representatives will be available to answer questions about the count. Health center staff are prepared to educate and inform patients about the census, and beginning on March 4, trained volunteers will be at health centers to show patients sample census forms and remind them to fill out their form. Additional outreach efforts include a texting campaign, door to door canvassing, and emails to supporters to amplify the message that San Gabriel Valley communities have much to gain from an accurate count.

“Everyone living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or housing status, has the right to be counted,” said Sheri Bonner, President & CEO of PPPSGV. “PPPSGV is working alongside partners to ensure the 2020 Census accurately represents just how vibrant and diverse the San Gabriel Valley is. The more people who fill out their census form, the better chance we have to get federal funding for resources such as reproductive health care services for decades to come.”

The U.S. Constitution requires the government to count everyone who lives in the United States every ten years. The census is safe, and the responses provided are protected by laws that prevent the information from being shared with the police, landlords, immigration officials, or employers. Each household will receive a postcard in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau by mid-March. If a household doesn’t reply by late April, a Census employee will follow up in person.

Census data collected determines the yearly allocation of almost $800 billion in federal programs to states, local communities, and families. Each person counted in the census means more money will go to your community for the next ten years for things like schools, roads, hospitals, and children’s healthcare. In FY2016, California received $115,133,486,972 through 55 federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census, including $55,457,936,000 in Medicaid.

PPPSGV is doing its part to make sure every person – regardless of income, age, housing, or immigration status – is counted. We are proud to work alongside Census Counts, a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure that the 2020 Census is fair and accurate.

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