The Early Learning Coalition Of Duval, Child Care Providers, Promote The 2020 Census

From The JAX Chamber:

September 15, 2020

The Census Bureau will stop collecting census data on September 30. The results of the 2020 Census will impact the nation and the City of Jacksonville for the next ten years.

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval (ELC of Duval) proudly served as a census ambassador for the City of Jacksonville to promote the 2020 Census and focus on reaching the traditionally undercounted populations of children under the age of 5 years old, non-English speaking families, and low-income families.

According to Denise Marzullo, President and CEO, of the ELC of Duval, “In 2010, only 74% of Floridians completed the census, and as a result, Florida loses $67 million every year that could be spent on child care, children’s health insurance, foster care, hospitals, highways, and more.”

The ELC of Duval launched the 2020 Census “I COUNT” campaign. The real work was done by more than 500 Duval child care providers, who amid a global pandemic, educated families about the census, encouraged them to complete it, and distributed the 2020 Census “I COUNT” beach balls.

As a result of coordinated initiatives, Duval County’s self-response rate is the 12th highest in 67 Florida counties and is higher than the national average. As of today, Florida has an 87.4% enumerated response rate.Owner Eboni Moravia of Crest Peak Learning Center in Mandarin stated, “A few of my families didn’t even know what the census was. I had to explain what it was and how it impacts our children’s child care and education.”

According to Marzullo, “Our work is not done. Census data collection ends on September 30. If you haven’t completed the census, please do so now.“ It can be completed on-line, by phone, or mail (www.my2020census.gov/). Census takers are also going door-to-door. Help make sure Jacksonville receives its fair share of the billions of dollars that are on the table. Our children’s future is counting on it.

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval is a non-profit organization that serves as the one-stop resource for information about early learning services in Jacksonville. The ELC of Duval helps:

• Families get their children into early learning care,

• Provide child care financial assistance, and

• Helps child care providers improve the quality of their early learning programs.

This press release was produced by The JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.