a:10:{i:0;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"10";s:4:"slug";s:23:"contact-the-island-news";s:4:"name";s:23:"Contact The Island News";s:4:"type";s:8:"fieldset";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:1;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"14";s:4:"slug";s:4:"name";s:4:"name";s:4:"Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:17:"Debbie Fitzgerald";}i:2;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"15";s:4:"slug";s:13:"business-name";s:4:"name";s:13:"Business Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:3;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"16";s:4:"slug";s:7:"address";s:4:"name";s:7:"Address";s:4:"type";s:7:"address";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:24:"United States of America";}i:4;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"17";s:4:"slug";s:5:"phone";s:4:"name";s:5:"Phone";s:4:"type";s:5:"phone";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:10:"7708236477";}i:5;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"18";s:4:"slug";s:5:"email";s:4:"name";s:5:"Email";s:4:"type";s:5:"email";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:23:"debbie@fitzgeraldpr.com";}i:6;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"19";s:4:"slug";s:15:"how-can-we-help";s:4:"name";s:16:"How can we help?";s:4:"type";s:8:"textarea";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:5387:"Consider a story about the 2020 Census and its community benefits to Beaufort County and surrounding communities. Would it be easier for you if we gave you an article to publish versus us sending you a ton of information?

On August 11, Census takers will start to interview non-responding households in person. This date is two weeks away so we appreciate you encouraging your readers to respond to the 2020 Census as soon as possible. It’s not too late to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone (1-844-330-2020), or by mail.

As of July 23, 2020, the national response rate is 62.4% and South Carolina’s response rate is below that at 56.7%. Beaufort County’s response rate is at 47%.

All of these numbers can be verified on the 2020 Census response rate on the U.S. Census Bureau website: https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html.
 
I am happy to coordinate an interview with an official Census Bureau spokesperson who can answer your questions, offer information and tips on how to complete the census questionnaire, explain why the census is important, and much more. I have provided more information below that you can utilize. 

So you are aware, due to COVID-19, the deadline to respond has been extended to October 31. 

Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you would like to coordinate an interview or would like further information. 

Best regards,
Debbie Fitzgerald
770-887-6060, cell: 770-823-6477
 
What is the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census is a population count of every person living in the United States and its five territories as of April 1. Beginning in March 2020, households across the country will begin receiving invitations to respond to the 2020 Census. Every 10 years since 1790, as mandated by the Constitution, the U.S. Census Bureau has conducted this count. Results of the 2020 Census will shape how billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated to communities for critical public services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety.
The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
The 2020 Census will be the 24th time the nation has counted its population – and it will be the first time everyone can respond online, by phone, or by mail.
Why the 2020 Census is important
Census statistics aren’t just about which state or city has grown the most over the last 10 years. Statistics compiled from census responses help businesses, researchers, and communities make decisions about funding for everything from school buildings and lunches and new bridges or roads, to fire departments, rural assistance programs, and more.
Knowing who lives throughout the nation means that communities can better support programs and services benefitting people aged 65 and older, low-income people, veterans, children, and newborns. 
Participating in the census is required by law, even if you recently completed another survey from the Census Bureau such as the American Community Survey. When you respond to the 2020 Census, you are helping to shape the future of your community by being counted. 
How to respond to the 2020 Census
Most households will receive an invitation to respond to the 2020 Census beginning in mid-March. At that time, one person should respond on behalf of the entire household online, by phone, or by mail. Responding early and on your own reduces the need for census takers to visit you in person to help you complete the questionnaire.  
Be sure to count everyone who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time. That includes relatives, friends, or others. And count all children, including newborns. If you’re unsure who to count, visit 2020census.gov to learn more.
For some communities and locations, there are different timelines and processes for responding to the 2020 Census. This includes people who live in Puerto Rico and U.S. Island Areas, remote areas in Alaska and northern Maine, areas that have experienced a natural disaster, group living arrangements (e.g., on-campus student housing, military bases, shelters), and people experiencing homelessness. Learn more at 2020census.gov. 
You should try to complete your questionnaire as soon as possible to help ensure everyone is counted once, only once, and in the right place.
Protecting 2020 Census responses
The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect the confidentiality of your responses to the 2020 Census. Title 13 of the U.S. Code prohibits employees from sharing identifiable information with anyone, including law enforcement and immigration agencies. 
All Census Bureau employees take a sworn oath to protect your personal information for life.
Responding to the 2020 Census is safe and secure. The Census Bureau follows industry best practices and federal requirements to protect individual responses during collection of responses to storage and reporting. That means the Census Bureau is continually refining its approach to identifying, preventing, detecting, and responding to cyberthreats and other potential dangers to the confidentiality of responses to the 2020 Census. 
Learn more about how the Census Bureau protects your information here.
For more information about the 2020 Census, start here.";}i:7;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"11";s:4:"slug";s:12:"verification";s:4:"name";s:12:"Verification";s:4:"type";s:12:"verification";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:8;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"12";s:4:"slug";s:27:"please-enter-any-two-digits";s:4:"name";s:27:"Please enter any two digits";s:4:"type";s:6:"secret";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:2:"11";s:5:"value";s:2:"12";}i:9;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"13";s:4:"slug";s:6:"submit";s:4:"name";s:6:"Submit";s:4:"type";s:6:"submit";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:2:"11";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}}