2008 Census Dress Rehearsal

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

February 1, 2008

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
To: Facility Manager
The United States Constitution provides that a census of the United States be taken every ten years.
In the year 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct a Census across the Nation to enumerate
the U.S. population. In addition to counting residents living in homes, the Census Bureau will also
count people living in group quarters like correctional facilities and residential treatment centers. The
decennial census provides the information each community relies on to obtain federal and state
funding for health assistance, services for older adults, employment services, schools, and more.
The 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal will be our final opportunity to examine procedures we will use in
the 2010 Census to collect group quarters information. We will enumerate people who live or stay in
group quarters, such as group homes, and workers’ group living quarters. We also will enumerate
those who stay at facilities that provide living accommodations and other services to people
experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to count everyone.
When enumerating people living in group quarters and clients who use services, such as services
provided by a shelter or a soup kitchen, we collect each person’s name, gender, age, date of birth,
race, ethnicity, and usual residence address.
Census data serve as the basis for many decisions that impact your community and your facility.
Federal and state funds for group quarters facilities are often allocated based on census data.
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as businesses, health organizations, financial
institutions, educational institutions, and facilities that provide public services rely heavily on
information collected during the group quarters operations. Government programs, such as the
Public Works and Economic Development Act, rely on census data. This program uses the number
of unemployed and low income people to determine a community’s qualification for public
assistance.
Given the importance of including every residence, I hope you will help us ensure that residents of
your facility are counted. If you have any questions, please call the Local Census Office telephone
number provided in your census materials. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to
working with you.
Sincerely,

Charles Louis Kincannon
Director

USCENSUSBUREAU
DX-350(L)FM

www.census.gov/census2010