ECCLA Collaborates on an Early Childhood Census Toolkit

The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) has teamed up with the Colorado Children’s Campaign to collaborate on an early childhood Census toolkit which provides local communities with resources for outreach to families.

Every 10 years, the Census aims to count every person living in the United States. However, young children (under 5 years old) are most likely to be missed by the Census. The 2010 Census undercounted young children in the United States by one million kids. When young children are not counted in the Census it has long-lasting effects on our communities and reduces funding for important programs that support infants, young children, and their families.

The 2020 Census data will be used to allocate funding for federal programs that impact Colorado including child care assistance, Head Start, foster care, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In one year alone, Colorado received $2 billion in federal funding for programs that helped young children and families. This funding is based on our population count as reported in the Census.

In communities across Colorado, Early Childhood Councils are working with local partners to share information about the 2020 Census. Beginning in March 2020 families will be able to respond to the Census, which is easy, safe, and important. We all have a role to ensure that every kid counts in the 2020 Census!

Download the toolkit and start sharing information in your community today. Connect with your Early Childhood Council to learn more about local outreach efforts for the 2020 Census.