April 1 is Census Day — we will use this moment as a communication push for a complete and accurate 2020 U.S. Census count for Arkansas SAFELY as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep Arkansans at home.

Launch – April 1, 2020

End – August 13, 2020

The Arkansas Counts team is updating this toolkit daily! Know of something helpful that’s missing? Have ideas? Reach out to brad@bbbox.io.

What’s in This Kit 

• Key Messages
• Traditional Media Content
• Online Materials and DIY Packets (English and Spanish)
• Resources for Faith Leaders, Parents/Educators at Home
• Videos
• Additional Ideas and Resources

Key Messages

APRIL 1 IS CENSUS DAY! So we challenge you to Tell #20for2020 to ensure #ARCounts.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or “coronavirus,” we want to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 U.S. Census in Arkansas that is SAFE and effective. How? Take a few minutes to participate in the census — then tell 20 family members, friends, and fellow residents to do it too. 

Let’s get the word out: this is a great time to elevate the ways to complete the census survey without interacting with people during the self-response phase. The 2020 U.S. Census Bureau survey is now available, and there are three easy ways to complete the survey from the comfort of your home:

• Online at My2020Census.gov 
• By phone at 844-330-2020 (English) — a list of phone numbers in different languages is available at Census.gov
• By returning the paper questionnaire, which will be mailed soon

We encourage you to connect with your local community leaders, state officials, and organizational leadership on any changes to your outreach plans. However, given that many cities and localities are asking for people to limit the number of large gatherings and many events are being cancelled, we wanted to share some ideas for ways you can potentially divert your resources to still reach your communities:

• Issue the “Tell #20for2020” Challenge — Use email, social media, and other online forms of communication to tell family members, friends, and fellow residents to complete the census survey online.
• Phone bank or text bank — Instead of tabling in-person, use that time to reach out to members of your community. Share Arkansas Counts pledge cards via email, on your website, and on social media.
• Encourage leading organizations to share Arkansas Counts materials — Ensure there are electronic flyers, posters, and materials grocery stores, community centers, clinics, and other community-serving organizations share on their websites, via emails, and on social media. Visit ARCounts.Org to access our printable communication materials in English and Spanish.  

Traditional Media Content

This will be updated as we share more with statewide media outlets.

Who Is Hard to Count?

• Children under five
• People living in poverty and/or experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness
• African Americans
• Immigrant residents
• Marshallese and other Asian American residents
• Religious minorities

Online Materials and DIY Packets (English and Spanish)

Download and share the following resources on your personal and organizational social media pages, websites, and any other way you can ensure #ARCounts, and tell #20for2020 to participate in the census TODAY!

Check us out on Facebook (facebook.com/ARCensus2020) and Twitter (@ar_census) daily and join the conversation using the hashtags #ARCounts and “Tell #20for2020.”

Addition PSAs linked here for download, linked here

Resources for Faith Leaders, Parents/Educators at Home

 For faith leaders

For parents and educators with children at home

Videos

Click Here to Download Arkansas Counts PSAs

Language for social media, websites, emails, text messages — any way you can think to share these videos:

• Complete the #Census2020 survey at My2020Census.Gov. Then tell #20for2020 family members, friends, and fellow Arkansans to get counted too!
• Census Day is April 1 — have you participated in #Census2020? Do your part to ensure #ARCounts by going to My2020Census.Gov, and then tell #20for2020 family members, friends, and fellow Arkansans to complete the survey!
• TODAY IS CENSUS DAY! And it’s never been easier to ensure #ARCounts. Then tell #20for2020 family members, friends, and fellow Arkansans to complete the survey as well!

Additional Ideas

• Facebook Livestream or do a live Twitter video of your organization’s leader completing the census online — NOTE: Record video with the subject facing the computer screen, and be careful to not reveal personally identifying information while recording
• Encourage faith community leaders — especially at churches live-streaming services and no longer convening in-person — to make time to complete the census survey before or after worship service
• Share these resources on community and neighborhood Facebook groups and other online communities
• Think about creative ways to engage local media leading up to and on Census Day (April 1) — share how your organization is adjusting community outreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic