QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What are the 2010 Census Basics?

ANSWER: Great question! Let's break it down to a top 10 list of things you should know about the 2010 Census.

1.  SHORT: The 2010 Census form is the shortest in history. There are only 10 questions for the first person to fill out on the first page of the form. After that, each person who lives with that person only has to answer 7 questions about themselves.

2.  EVERYONE COUNTS: Every person who lives in the United States must be counted, including babies, young children, newborns, nannies, roommates and in-laws. You DO NOT need to count family members who are in prison, in college, overseas in the military, in a nursing home or in a mental institution.

3.  SAFE: The 2010 Census is easy, important and safe. None of your information is released to any other government agency. The IRS, the INS, your landlord, your neighbors, no one will know how many people live with you or where you live. The entire Census Bureau and all of its employees swear to keep your information private and can go to jail and/or be fined if they break this oath.

4.  HISPANIC - YES OR NO: When it comes to the Hispanic question, the 2010 Census is a chance for YOU to define who you are. If you consider yourself Hispanic, be sure to check the correct box on Question Number Eight on your census form. If you do not see your nationality listed (ex: Dominican, Colombian, etc), make sure you write it down in the blank space provided. If you DO NOT consider yourself Hispanic, there is a box for you to check, too.

5.  YOUR RACE IS WHO YOU ARE: The question after that is the Race Question (Question Number Nine). Again, this is a chance for YOU to define who you are. You can check one box or you can check them all. You can write in your tribe too. If you do not see what YOU consider your race listed, then you can write that in as well. No one can tell you how to fill out this question. It's up to you.

6.  SPEAK UP: The 2010 Census affects almost every aspect of your daily life. From grocery stores, police stations, teachers, books, and schools to sidewalks, public parks, hospitals, WIC, and non-profits like LULAC, the census is not only a form but it is your VOICE.

7.  CENSUS POWER: The 2010 Census form DOES NOT ask you about your immigration status. It does not ask you for your social security number either. This means that the 2010 Census is a way for you to EMPOWER yourself, your family and your community, no matter where you are from or why you are in the United States. By trusting the power of this form, you can change your neighborhood, improve your access to resources, and increase the power of your voice in Congress.

8.  RECEIVE FORM IN THE MAIL: The 2010 Census form will be mailed out from March 15 - March 17. This means that you should have your census form by March 22. If you do not receive a form by the 22nd, please reach out to your community for help. Call your local Census Office, LULAC, your church or a friend. Everyone knows these forms are coming - don't be afraid to ask for help.

9.  MAIL BACK YOUR FORM: After you receive your 2010 Census form, please fill it out as soon as possible and mail it back in the envelope provided. If you do not mail back your form by April 1, 2010, a Census Bureau employee will come to your house and help you be counted in person between May 2010 and July 2010. After that time, if you have still not participated in the census, you will have to wait another 10 years before you can be counted.

10.  LEARN. SHARE. BE COUNTED : Most importantly, learn more about the 2010 Census. There are websites, hotlines (1-877-EL-CENSO/1-877-352-3676), offices, community centers, organizations like LULAC, TV ads, radio commercials, celebrities and posters everywhere talking about the 2010 Census. The more you know, the more you can share with others. Ask questions. Learn more. Be counted. Help others be counted. It's in our hands.

For more information, please contact Amanda Lee Keammerer-Aderibigbe, National Community Relations Coordinator & Program Associate at (202) 833-6130 or AKeammerer@LULAC.org