County of Marin Seal

Request for Qualifications: Lead Countywide Outreach Agency

OVERVIEW

The Marin Complete County Committee is seeking a qualified individual or organization to coordinate countywide census outreach activities to insure a complete count for Census 2020 in Marin.

Please note that separate grant funding opportunities will be available to community-based organizations in each of the four undercounted jurisdictions (San Rafael, West Marin, Marin City, Novato) to assist in deployment of outreach activities in those communities. A process to apply for these grant funds will be made available following the award of the Lead Countywide Outreach Agency.  

Key Dates

  • Issue Date: May 8, 2019
  • Q&A Session with Marin Census Staff: May 17th, 2019
  • Proposal Due Date: May 24, 2019
  • Award Date: By June 25, 2019

Process

  • The proposals will be reviewed by the Marin Complete Count Committee (CCC) staff team.
  • The proposals will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria set forth below.
  • The Marin CCC staff team will recommend award of the contract to the Marin CCC Steering Committee who will then provide their recommendation to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

Schedule

  • The term of the contract agreement is anticipated to start July 1, 2019 and conclude December 31, 2020.

Budget

  • Provide a budget not to exceed $120,000 that demonstrates how the scope of services will be delivered.
  • The County will pay the contractor based on monthly itemized invoices documenting appropriate project related deliverables and expenses.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

In order to maintain uniformity, each organization must submit a written proposal, which shall be limited to a maximum of 5 pages (excluding cover letter, front and back covers, and exhibits). 

The following information is required:

  1. Cover Letter: A letter signed by a principal or authorized representative who can make legally binding commitments for the entity.
  2. Organization and Personnel Experience: A profile of the organization’s experience, including the names and experience of key personnel who will be providing services. At a minimum, this should include the project manager/principal agent, key staff member(s) in charge when project manager/principal agent is unavailable, and an organization chart identifying only those who will perform work for the proposed project and the percentage of each individual’s time devoted to this project. 
  3. Scope of Services. Proposer shall submit a general description of the deliverables and timelines to complete the project. See below for a more detailed description of the Scope of Services.

All applications should be submitted electronically to info@marincensus2020.org by 5:00pm on May 24th, 2019. If you cannot submit electronically, please contact Daniel Soto at daniel.soto@cityofsanrafael.org or by phone at (415) 485-3064 for alternative delivery options.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria for evaluating the proposals submitted will take the following items into consideration:

Scoring Description Total Possible Points
Organizational Experience Applications will be scored from 0-10 based upon their organization’s experience coordinating outreach. 10
Countywide Experience/

Capacity

 Applicants will be scored from 0-25 based upon their organization’s reach throughout all jurisdictions in Marin County. 25
Reporting Experience Applicants will be scored from 0-10 based upon their organization’s experience successfully developing effectiveness metrics and performing grant reporting. 10
Translation Services Applicants will be scored from 0-10 based upon their organization’s capacity to perform written and spoken non-English translation services.

 10
Hard to Count Communities Applicants will be scored from 0-25 based upon their organizations experience providing direct services and culturally-appropriate outreach to HTC communities in Marin County. 25
Dedicated Staff Applicants will be scored from 0-25 based upon their capacity to provide census-knowledgeable dedicated staffing for countywide outreach. 25
Readiness Applicants will be scored from 0-25 based upon their demonstrated pre-existing knowledge of the Census, engagement thus far in Census2020 work (including SwORD tool), and demonstrated capacity to launch and manage a coordinated Census Outreach immediately following contract execution. 25

 Total Possible Points

 130

Social Equity Preference Points

Female Staff Majority 5 preference points will be awarded to organizations that can show majority female staff and/or volunteer composition. 5
Non-White/Caucasian Majority Staff 5 preference points will be awarded to organizations that can show majority non-white/Caucasian staff and/or volunteer composition. 5
Location within HTC Tract Up to 10 preference points will be awarded to organizations that are headquartered in a census tract with a high HTC Index. HTC Index will be based upon the California HTC Index found here: https://marincensus2020.org/about/hard-to-count-communities/ 10

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Potential candidates must demonstrate: 

    • Experience developing and coordinating effective grassroots outreach countywide;
    • Ability to develop effective messaging strategies tailored to individual communities;
    • Ability to organize large groups of residents and evidence of existing working relationships with networks of community-based organizations (CBOs) in hard-to-count communities;
    • Ability to work collaboratively with a network of CBOs, local governments and across a broad spectrum of sectors to coordinate and leverage resources and networks;
    • Ability and knowledge to interface with the Statewide Outreach and Rapid Deployment (SwORD) mapping portal, including collecting, storing, and analyzing tabular/or spatial data and ensuring data quality in formats such as Excel, .csv or others using geographic information systems; and
    • Organizational capacity (staffing and leadership), history, and track record of successfully providing the requested services.

Responsibilities include:

    • Facilitation of the Marin CCC Steering Committee, quarterly Marin CCC meetings, and participation on Marin CCC staff team;
    • Coordinate funding and grant opportunities for census outreach activities from Statewide, Region 3 Community Based Organization (United Way of Bay Area), Northern California Grantmakers, and other local philanthropic sources to avoid duplication and address any funding gaps;
    • Collaborate with United Way of Bay Area to provide partner education, support, training, resources, and consistent messaging countywide;
    • Utilize the SwORD portal to regularly upload partner census activities in a timely manner and identify any gaps in outreach and mobilization;
    • Conduct and coordinate subcommittee meetings to develop outreach strategies and specific implementation measures for the Implementation Plan;
    • Provide partnership support in conducting outreach activities, including census messaging toolkits and training, to deployment partner(s) for each of the hard-to-count communities (Marin City, West Marin, Novato, and San Rafael). In addition, coordinate countywide census messaging for all Marin communities;
    • Establish “community action teams” to carry out outreach elements identified in the Strategic and Implementation Plans;
    • Assist in the development of a plan to establish, manage, announce and activate locations of Questionnaire Assistance Centers and/or Questionnaire Assistance Kiosks.
    • Assist Census Bureau staff to coordinate publicization, recruitment and training of census enumerators in hard-to-count areas; and
    • Ensure all census outreach and messaging is culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate;
    • Engage trusted messengers in trusted environments to help the public participate in the census; and
    • Other tasks as needed.
Marin Census 2020 – Countywide Outreach Agency RFQ_FINALDownload
/by
Image of Ellen LaPointe

To Ensure Accurate Local Census Count, $1 Million In Grant Funding Available To Nonprofits

Request for Proposals open until May 31, 2019

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – To ensure that all Bay Area residents are counted accurately and completely in the 2020 census, approximately $1 million in grants will be awarded to local nonprofits for census education and outreach efforts, a collaborative group of funding organizations announced this week.

The Bay Area Census Funders Collaborative – a partnership of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the East Bay Community Foundation, Northern California Grantmakers, and numerous other funders – has been created to help ensure a fair and complete 2020 census count.

“Here’s why we need an accurate count: So that Californians get the right level of federal funding for public programs and the right amount of representation in Congress,” said Nicole Taylor, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. “We’re giving grants to Bay Area nonprofits to make sure everyone – including hard-to-count populations like children, the elderly, immigrants and homeless people – is counted in census 2020.”

There are some unprecedented challenges facing the 2020 census, however, including significant underfunding of the Census Bureau, the proposed addition of question about respondents’ citizenship, and the new online census questionnaire.

“When census information is not accurate, the rights of the most vulnerable are threatened and equality is undermined. We are delighted to partner with leaders in the philanthropic community who understand how critical it is that each and every one of us is counted in the 2020 Census,” said President and CEO Ellen LaPointe of Northern California Grantmakers.

To help meet the census’ challenges, the funders collaborative published its first Request for Proposals on Monday, April 15. At least $1 million in grant funding will be awarded to nonprofit groups for outreach and education efforts focused on the 2020 census. Grant applications must be submitted by Friday, May 31, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

“The importance of the census count is often under-estimated,” said President and CEO James Head of the East Bay Community Foundation. “The East Bay, in particular, is home to a significant number of hard-to-count communities. Through this collaboration, we expect to support a range of innovative strategies to encourage full participation and ensure an accurate count, because this impacts not just the state’s influence but the power of local communities.”

The grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations working to engage and promote the participation of hard-to-count communities in the nine-county Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties).

The collaborative will host six information sessions throughout the region to review the RFP, eligibility, application process, selection criteria, and grant timeline.

To learn more about the funding collaborative and information session dates, times and locations, visit ncg.org/2020-census.

Media contacts:

Sue McAllister, VP, marketing and communications, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
650.450.5513 or sjmcallister@siliconvalleycf.org

Kayla Ballard, communications manager, Northern California Grantmakers
415.872.1019 or kballard@ncg.org

Stacey Manley, VP, communications, East Bay Community Foundation
510.208.0827 or smanley@eastbaycf.org

About Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation advances innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging problems. We engage donors and corporations from Silicon Valley, across the country and around the globe to make our region and world better for all. Our passion for helping people and organizations achieve their philanthropic dreams has created a global philanthropic enterprise committed to the belief that possibilities start here. Learn more at siliconvalleycf.org.

About East Bay Community Foundation
The East Bay Community Foundation is committed to advancing a Just East Bay. We partner with donors, social movements, and the community to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and transform political, social, and economic outcomes for all who call the East Bay home. Learn more at ebcf.org.

About Northern California Grantmakers
Northern California Grantmakers is an association of great people doing great work. We bring together foundations, nonprofit organizations, government, and business to tackle our region’s most pressing social issues. We pool resources, share information, and learn from each other, making our collective impact far greater than if we were going it alone. Learn more at ncg.org.

Retrieved from https://ncg.org/news/ensure-accurate-local-census-count-1-million-grant-funding-available-nonprofits.

/by

One-Year Countdown to 2020 Census Begins

County’s Complete Count Committee to help create localized promotions

San Rafael, CA – Now that April has arrived, the yearlong countdown to the 2020 U.S. Census has begun in Marin County and all over the United States. Scheduled for April 1, 2020, the census is being labeled as the “first digital census” whereby households will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.

The County of Marin’s Community Development Agency (CDA) – in partnership with the City of San Rafael and Canal Alliance – created MarinCensus2020.org and established a Complete Count Committee comprised of a broad spectrum of residents to help create localized messaging that resonates at the grassroots level. About 50 committee members met in March and started to create targeted subcommittees. They will work with state, regional, and local community organizations to coordinate census promotions in different languages to increase census awareness and participation.

The U.S. Constitution requires that every American is counted every 10 years. The census determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and how more than $400 billion in federal financial support will be distributed. Local government use the results to plan and provide for resident needs.

Undercounting could limit funding and voter representation. In 1990, an estimated 4 million Californians were not counted, leading to the loss of a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and a shortfall of about $2 billion in federal funding. The state received an estimated $115 billion in federal funding in fiscal 2016-17 tied to the state’s population count. A recent study by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that an estimated 1.6 million residents are at risk of not being included in the 2020 count.

Outreach is starting early to help alleviate concerns about the census. Across the country, two-thirds of respondents to a preliminary survey about the census said they would be extremely likely or very likely to fill out a census form, but five barriers were identified that might prevent people from participating:

  • concerns about data privacy and confidentiality;
  • fear of repercussions;
  • distrust in all levels of government;
  • feeling that it doesn’t matter to be counted; and
  • belief that filling out the census form might not benefit the participant.

Another possible barrier is a White House proposal to add a question about citizenship to the census. A Supreme Court ruling on the topic is expected this summer; meanwhile, census personnel are preparing two versions of the survey.

A preliminary survey identified hard-to-count populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, people who speak languages other than English, those with low internet proficiency, young people who move frequently or have plans to move soon, rural residents, and populations at risk of low response.

Some Marin populations might be reluctant to be counted for those reasons. Others might be willing but have less-than-optimal access to broadband technology and would be considered difficult to reach for such an online survey. Staff has evaluated data from the 2010 census and pinpointed several neighborhoods where residents were least likely to respond or hard for census takers to count. Those areas are mostly in San Rafael, Marin City, and West Marin.

Nearly every household will receive an invitation to participate in the census from either a postal worker or a census worker, but it’s expected that 95 percent of residents will receive an invitation by mail. The U.S. Postal Service will stagger the delivery of the invitations over several days to spread out the number of users responding online. In the end, the federal government expects less than 1 percent of households will be counted in person by a census official, mostly in remote areas.

Questions? Most are answered on MarinCensus2020.org and www.census.gov.

Note: Press release retrieved from https://www.marincounty.org/main/county-press-releases/press-releases/2019/cda-census-040419.

/by

Shape your future. START HERE. U.S. Census Bureau Unveils 2020 Census Tagline

WRITTEN BY: KENDALL JOHNSON, 2020 CENSUS INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT

Starting in 1790, and every 10 years since, the United States has conducted a census. Through the data we collect during the decennial census year, we help the public make the decisions they need to improve their community: to build schools, hospitals and new roads; to guide public funding to help those in need; and to help entrepreneurs and businesses make critical decisions.

In a little over a year, the public will get the chance to respond to the 2020 Census. And before they do, it is our job to make sure they understand that their responses help shape the future of their community.

With a little more than one year to go before April 1, 2020, today we announced our tagline for the 2020 Census — “Shape your future. START HERE.” We chose this tagline after our extensive communication research showed that the impact the census has on future generations is a major motivator across different groups to fill out the 2020 Census.

Census 2020 Logo

The tagline chosen is a product of the research the agency conducted through the Census Barriers, Attitudes and Motivators Study (CBAMS). The study’s survey reached a nationally representative sample of 50,000 households in early 2018, with nearly 17,500 responses (about a 35.0 percent response rate) to determine who intends to respond to the census and what attitudes, barriers and motivators exist about the 2020 Census. This is considered a well above average sample size and response rate than the industry standard for communications campaign research. This foundational research demonstrated what types of messages will reach all populations, including segments of the population that are historically hard to count, and which types of messages may motivate individuals to respond to the 2020 Census.

The CBAMS research was paired with expertise of multicultural advertising agencies seasoned in reaching the diverse audience that makes up our nation. These agencies are part of the Census Bureau’s communications contractor VMLY&R. Once developed, the tagline was tested using a combination of online quantitative testing, in-person focus groups, and community representative review sessions with participants — demonstrating that this tagline works in multiple languages and cultures. We are currently building creative materials under the umbrella theme of this tagline and once developed, those creative materials will be tested extensively with diverse audiences around the country. The new tagline and logo will also be distributed to the Census Bureau’s partners for use in their materials to align with the campaign.

In preparation for the 2020 Census, on April 1, 2019, Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham will brief the public on the status of operations and what they can do to help ensure a complete and accurate count in their community.

Census 2020 Logo English Spanish

Now, with less than 14 months to go until Census Day, all of us at the Census Bureau are working diligently in preparation towards the 2020 Census — the most advanced census in our nation’s history. And by taking a few minutes to participate, the public will get the chance to shape their future, starting right here, right now.

For more information, follow the U.S. Census Bureau on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, or visit their website: www.census.gov.

Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/research-matters/2019/03/shape_your_future.html.

/by
San Rafael Summer Market

How the 2020 Census Will Invite Everyone to Respond

Nearly every household will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census from either a postal worker or a census worker.

Most areas of the country are likely to respond online, so most households will receive a letter asking you to go online to complete the census questionnaire.

U.S. Census Bureau Infographic

WHAT WE WILL SEND IN THE MAIL

  • March 12-20: An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census (some households will also receive paper questionnaires)
  • March 16-24: A reminder letter

If you haven’t responded yet:

  • March 26-April 3: A reminder postcard
  • April 20-27: A final reminder postcards before we follow up in person

Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.

What to Expect in the Mail

When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you’ll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire.

Letter Invitation

We plan on working with the U.S. Postal Service to stagger the delivery of these invitations over several days. This way we can spread out the number of users responding online. And we’ll be able to serve you better if you need help over the phone.

Note: We have special procedures to count people who don’t live in households, such as students living in university housing or people experiencing homelessness.

In Case You Miss Our Initial Letter In the Mail

We understand you might miss our initial letter in the mail. Every household that hasn’t already responded will receive reminders and will eventually receive a paper questionnaire. It doesn’t matter which initial invitation you get or how you get it—we will follow up in person with all households that don’t respond.

For more information, follow the U.S. Census Bureau on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, or visit their website: www.census.gov.

/by
Mural

Congratulations! California’s “Complete Count” Counties

California’s “Complete Count” Counties and Tribal Governments

Counties that have opted-in to receive state funding for Census outreach:

  • Alameda
  • Calaveras
  • Colusa
  • Contra Costa
  • Del Norte
  • Fresno
  • Humboldt
  • Imperial
  • Inyo
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Lake
  • Los Angeles
  • Madera
  • Marin
  • Mariposa
  • Mendocino
  • Merced
  • Modoc
  • Monterey
  • Napa
  • Nevada
  • Orange
  • Placer
  • Riverside
  • Sacramento
  • San Benito
  • San Bernardino
  • San Francisco
  • San Luis Obispo
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Cruz
  • Shasta
  • Solano
  • Sonoma
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tehama
  • Tulare
  • Ventura
  • Yolo
  • Yuba

Tribal Governments that have opted-in to receive state funding for Census outreach:

  • Coyote Valley Reservation
  • Mechoopda Indian Tribe
  • Mooretown Rancheria
  • Pala Reservation
  • Pauma and Yuima Reservation
  • Quartz Valley Reservation
  • San Pasqual Reservation
  • Sherwood Valley Rancheria
  • Susanville Indian Rancheria
  • Trinidad Rancheria

Timing

County Contracts
Nov. 9, 2018 – State sent letters to counties to opt in or out of state Census funding
Feb. 8, 2019 – Deadline for counties to opt out or opt in with a board resolution

Tribal Funding Agreements
Nov. 30, 2018 – State distributes Tribal funding agreement letters
March 15, 2019 – Deadline for Tribal Governments to request funding

County and Local Government Funding

To maximize dollars distributed to local communities and require collaboration and coordination between governmental entities, the State will use counties as fiscal agents for funds targeting HTC populations within their boundaries, including those within incorporated cities.

Counties that opt-in will collaborate and coordinate with cities within their boundaries. Should a county choose not to participate, the State will reach out to a large city, regional council of government or ultimately a community-based organization with the administrative capacity and experience to conduct robust outreach in that county.

Tribal Governments will be awarded funding agreements to conduct Census outreach activities in their geographical service areas. Funding tiers are based on housing units ranging from $1,000 funding agreements for Tribal Governments with 25 to 49 housing units to $50,000 for those with more than 10,000 housing units.

Approximately $27 million will be allocated for local governments. For information on county funding allocations, see Census Funding.

Updated 02/14/19

Note: Retrieved from https://census.ca.gov/2019/01/30/congratulations-californias-complete-count-counties/.

/by

Marin Prepares for 2020 Census

County Takes First Step by Accepting Federal Grant for Public Outreach

San Rafael, CA – When it comes time for Marin residents to take part in the 2020 U.S. Census, the County of Marin’s Community Development Agency (CDA) wants to make it count, so to speak.

How Likely Would You Be to Fill Out the Census Forn Chart

The results of a preliminary survey from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. Constitution requires that every American is counted every 10 years. The census determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and how federal financial support is distributed. Municipalities like the County of Marin use the results to plan for resident needs.

In preparation for the census on April 1, 2020, the Marin County Board of Supervisors agreed February 5 to accept $100,000 from the State of California to conduct census outreach activities in Marin. Marin CDA is taking the lead to establish a Complete Count Committee comprised of a broad spectrum of residents to help create localized messaging that resonates at the grassroots level. The 2020 Census is being labeled as the “first digital census” whereby emphasis will be placed on online self-response instead of mailed questionnaires.

Across the country, two-thirds of respondents to a preliminary survey[External] about the census said they would be extremely likely or very likely to fill out a census form. However, five barriers were identified that might prevent people from participating:

  • concerns about data privacy and confidentiality;
  • fear of repercussions;
  • distrust in all levels of government;
  • feeling that it doesn’t matter to be counted; and
  • belief that filling out the census form might not benefit the participant.

The preliminary survey identified hard-to-count populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, people who speak languages other than English, those with low internet proficiency, young people who move frequently or have plans to move soon, rural residents, and populations at risk of low response.

Some Marin populations might be reluctant to be counted for those reasons. Others might be willing but have less-than-optimal access to broadband technology and would be considered difficult to reach for such an online survey. CDA staff has evaluated data from the 2010 census and pinpointed several neighborhoods where residents were least likely to respond or hard for census takers to count. Those areas are mostly in San Rafael, Marin City and West Marin.

The first meeting of the Complete Count Committee is scheduled for March 8, 2019. Those interested in learning more about the Complete Count Committee are invited to contact Kristin Drumm at (415) 473-6290.

Note: Press release retrieved from https://www.marincounty.org/main/county-press-releases/press-releases/2019/cda-census-020519.

/by