2020 Census: Got questions?

From 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, AARP Alaska will host a statewide telephone town hall on the 2020 Census. Keisha Lafayette, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, and Gabe Layman, chair of the Alaska Census Working Group, will share why it’s so important, what security measures are in place, how and when it’s taking place in different parts of the state, and how to avoid Census-related scams. They'll also take your questions.

To participate, call 877-229-8493 around 5:30 p.m. and enter the code 14554.

It’s OK to dial in late; the call will also be recorded, so you have the option of listening to it later. We'll post the link here.

The results of the 2020 Census will determine where more than $800 billion in federal funds go each year for the next ten years. These funds are distributed at the state, borough and community level to support schools, hospitals, fire departments, nutrition programs and more.

Alaska had the lowest participation rate in the nation in the last Census – 64 percent. When we don’t have a complete count, Alaska residents don’t get their fair share of funding – for the next 10 years. With Alaska’s budget problems, we can’t afford another undercount.

AARP is a national Census partner; AARP Alaska belongs to the Alaska Census Working Group.

For more information, visit AlaskaCounts.org