DELAND -- Volusia County’s Complete Count Committee has launched a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the importance of completing their census questionnaires and to increase Volusia County’s response rate.
During the 2000 Census, 67 percent of the county’s residents completed and returned their forms. "We can do better than 67 percent," said Complete Count Committee Chair Joie Alexander, who also is the vice chair and at-large representative for the Volusia County
Council from Samsula. "It is critically important that we assure a complete and accurate count of Volusia County’s population because millions of dollars in federal and state funding depend on our numbers."
The campaign will target all residents, with a special focus on groups that traditionally have low response rates. These include people living below the poverty level, minorities, immigrants and migrant workers, renters, and people receiving supplemental income.
Committee members are working closely with city representatives to ensure a consistent, coordinated message. Subcommittees also are
reaching out to colleges and universities, businesses, faith-based organizations, community organizations, homeowners associations, and the agricultural community.