Counting is one of the most basic ways we make sense of our world. We may start off counting fingers and toes, then move on to more interesting topics—like creepy crawlies on the playground and crayons in the classroom. As we get older, we use counting for more complex problems, like how many slices of pizza are left, and more importantly, can I eat them?
Pizza problems aside, we know counting has some pretty important uses. It’s why there’s a whole federal agency responsible for counting the people of our country. The U.S. Census Bureau is tasked with providing data that helps us count our kids and identify the needs of communities across Michigan.
Many of our Kids Count indicators come to us from the census via the American Community Survey, or ACS for short. Last month I attended the annual American Community Survey Data Users Conference. While the average person might not find a data conference riveting, I found some key takeaways every person concerned about our access to information should know:
- Data will be released later than usual this year. Due to the government shutdown, the 2018 ACS release is being pushed back. The single-year estimates will be available September 26, and the five-year estimates will be released on December 19.
- There’s a new website to get data. Starting this summer, there will be no new data releases on American FactFinder, the current tool for ACS data. All new data will be released on Census.Gov, which you can access now. Updates will continue to be made as the rollout continues and feedback from users is highly encouraged. American FactFinder will be retired in 2020.
- The Bureau is changing its methods for disclosure, threatening the availability of data. Census officials told attendees that the privacy methods for census data need to be updated to prevent against potential attacks. The Bureau intends to implement changes but has not informed the public about the impacts. Attendees expressed concern at a recent announcement that under the new methods children may no longer be able to be linked to households—potentially removing entire tables advocates rely on like the number of children in one-parent households and the number of children living in households where English is not spoken at home. Census 2020 will be the first data set affected, with ACS to follow. Right now, users and the public remain in the dark about the effects of these changes.
- The citizenship question planned for the 2020 census is untested and will likely lead to a massive undercount. If allowed on the 2020 census by the Supreme Court, the untested citizenship question will make the already-existent undercounts of the Latinx/Hispanic population, immigrants, and young children much worse.
On the second day of the conference, one theme stood out: the Census Bureau is working to get more feedback from users, but better two-way communication and input is needed. The shaky roll-out of the new website, as well as the mystery around potential changes to data disclosure, highlighted where transparency and meaningful community involvement is lacking.
The citizenship question poses a big dilemma for the Bureau—that the Trump administration fully intends to ignore all opposition to the question. Despite outcry from users, professionals, and community groups, the Trump administration is trying to muscle the question on to the form. New evidence further reveals the partisan motivations behind the question, and it is for these reasons that federal judges have ruled the question illegal. If allowed by the U.S. Supreme Court, the question will threaten the integrity of the census as a way to count all people in our country.
We need to make sure we have access to the most accurate information about our communities and that the agency tasked with this mission is working for all of us. We encourage you to join us and sign on to an open letter asking the Census Bureau to be transparent and work with users through the proposed privacy changes. We continue to oppose the citizenship question and hope the Supreme Court makes the right decision.
The Census 2020 is less than a year away. Whether or not a citizenship question is included, census data will determine funding for more than 300 programs ranging from food assistance to Medicaid to tax credit zones. Voting districts will be also be drawn based on census numbers. That’s why a complete count is critical to Michigan’s future. Please join efforts across the state to prepare for 2020 now.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Jacob Kaplan 
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
