2020 Early Childhood Census Committee

Taos County is one of the most difficult places in the country to gather census data. In this process, millions of dollars are lost that might have been utilized to support food assistance, public education, community development and medical assistance for our community members.

Paso a Paso’s Early Childhood Census Committee was formed in the fall of 2019 to make sure that families with young children are counted so that these designated funds are secured for Taos County. With a $14,000 grant awarded by NM Counts 2020 and Albuquerque Community Foundation, this committee aims to engage and educate the organizations within our network to involve their clients in completing the 2020 census.

Taos County Counts! Early Childhood Census Outreach Team works to engage our early childhood community through the Paso a Paso Network to:

• Understand and address the concerns of our family members who have children birth to 10-years-old about responding to the Census.

• Communicate the importance of community participation in the Census for our democracy, economy, public services and infrastructure, schools, and our understanding of who we are.

• Decrease hurdles to participation in the Census and increase community pride in participation in the Census.

• Work to reduce the stigma for immigrant and ‘off the grid’ families living in Taos County.

• Through engagement, education, and networking the Paso a Paso’s Early Childhood Census Committee will work to ensure the voices of all households are completely counted.