"I Count" Ad Campaign To Encourage Census Participation

The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) today announced that it launched the “I Count” advertising campaign to encourage families with children with special needs to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. The print and digital ad campaign is being displayed on select Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) stations, Red and Orange subway lines, and bus lines from May 4th through June 15th.

FCSN provides information, support and assistance to families with children with disabilities, their professional partners and their communities. The U.S. Census is conducted every ten years and determines congressional representation and impacts hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding.

“It is important that children with special needs have the appropriate representation in Congress so that they can potentially benefit from federally funded services. The ad campaign aims to reach their families to ensure that they are counted in the 2020 census,” said Pam Nourse, FCSN Executive Director. “Every child who has special needs must be counted and we are doing our part to help get the message out there on how important this census count is for them.”

The “I Count” campaign was translated into four languages, including English, Chinese, Haitian and Spanish, and includes posters and digital ads. FCSN received a grant from the U.S. Census department that was distributed through the Mass. Secretary of State’s office to create the advertising campaign. The ads were designed by O’Neill and Associates.

“We understand the power of families who have children with special needs because they are the ones who founded FCSN. They are passionate and fight for their children’s access to services and programs. And now we are asking them to continue their roles as advocates by making sure that they participate in the 2020 US Census,” said Nourse.

FCSN currently oversees over 15 projects related to supporting families whose children have special educational needs and special healthcare needs, as well as families of culturally and economically underserved populations by promoting family engagement within general education. The projects are organized into five “Centers” by the primary type of service offered to families: Special Education Parent Center, Family Support Center, Health Advocacy Center, Family and Community Engagement Center and Parent-Professional Leadership Center. For more information visit: www.fcsn.org