Today, I joined community, faith and business leaders at the opening of one of Baltimore's 150 Census Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs.)  The centers will be open in communities throughout the city to provide support to residents with questions about their 2010 Census forms.  Forms were mailed to households across the United States this week.
 
With the help of community leaders and these Centers, we can ensure that people in every community in Baltimore knows that the Census is important, safe, and completely confidential. 
 
To help everyone with filling out their forms, language assistance in French, Russian, Chinese, Korean and Spanish (the city's five most spoken non-English languages) will be available at QACs throughout

the city.
 
Assistance is also available by phone in:
 

The Census is more than just a population count - it is the future and well-being of our community and our country.  Census information will help our leaders determine locations for schools, roads, hospitals, child care, senior citizen centers and much more.
 
Census 2010 data will also directly affect how much of the approximately $4 trillion in available federal funds is allocated to our city over the next 10 years.  For each Baltimore City resident, there is approximately $1,000 available per year.  Over the next decade, that comes to $10,000 per person to fund vital health care, education and transportation resources.
 
This year, I want the people of Baltimore to take the Census seriously.  In 2000, the national Census mail-in response rate was 67%.  The government considered that a success.  Unfortunately, Baltimore City's mail-in response rate was only 53%! It was the lowest mail-in response rate of any city of comparable size.  Detroit's response rate was 62%.  This is unacceptable. We cannot afford this as a city. It means too much for our schools, our economy, and our community.
 
Also, one of my primary priorities is jobs.  The US Census Bureau is recruiting for temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census.  These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses.  And, best of all, census takers work right in their own communities.  Testing is by appointment only.  Potential applicants should call 443-927-1200 or 1-866-861-2010 to make an appointment or visit http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/. 
 
For a Census Practice Test click here. The practice test is similar to the actual test, which measures basic skills, abilities, and knowledge required to perform a variety of census jobs.  
 
For more information about the Census in Baltimore City visit www.baltimorecity.gov/2010Census.  It's in our hands Baltimore!