Proposed census changes could worsen childcare shortage

Every year, as part of my job at Voices for Children in Nebraska, I gather the most up-to-date information on thousands of key child wellbeing indicators in the state of Nebraska. To take one example, we produce a map featuring the childcare capacity of all 93 counties in Nebraska. So, for instance, if a county has a score of 50, it means there are 50 licensed childcare spots available for every 100 children in need of care in that county. By tracking this information, it is possible to pinpoint where in Nebraska there are critical shortages of childcare.

 To determine this requires full and accurate information from the U.S. Census regarding the number of children living in Nebraska’s communities. I have witnessed how such information was key to convincing state lawmakers to raise the income cap on families eligible for childcare subsidies from 130% of the federal poverty level to 185%, as well as reduce administrative barriers associated with running a childcare business. I have also seen the power of this information used by nonprofit organizations and community members to address shortages in their communities.

Yet the Trump Administration has proposed changes to the upcoming decennial census that would limit the count to U.S. citizens and “lawful permanent residents,” such as immigrants with green cards. Such rule changes are not only unconstitutional but would negatively impact the ability of communities to plan and direct resources toward solving public problems such as childcare, housing, schooling, traffic congestion and healthcare services.

As stated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Sections 2 and 9, the government is to conduct a census every 10 years. Furthermore, the 14th Amendment states that the “whole number of persons in each state” are to be counted, a distinction that has long been understood to mean all people residing in the U.S. The census is the most important tool we have for accurately determining how many people are living in the U.S. and where they reside within the country, critical knowledge used to determine the number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets for the next 10 years, as well as where to distribute trillions of dollars in federal funding.

The rule changes proposed by the Trump administration would exclude work-visa holders, refugees, asylees and other residents who would be dropped from the apportionment count for the first time. Without a full and accurate picture, the childcare capacity maps we make every year will be less reliable and could show that there is adequate childcare capacity in counties where families are struggling to find care. And this will not just impact the “big cities” of Omaha and Lincoln. According to current numbers from the Census Bureau, with 10% of its population being foreign born, Hall County will be particularly vulnerable to having incomplete information.

If the proposed changes go into effect, a growing number of residents will disappear from the census counts, but they will not disappear from our community’s childcare facilities, roads, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and hospitals. We will not just be hurting those who are not counted but lessening the quality of services for all community members. It will mean, among other things, more severe shortages in childcare and housing, longer traffic lines, overcrowded schools, and longer waits for critical health care services. It will mean less effective public systems and weaker communities.

Luckily these changes have not gone into effect and the Census Bureau is accepting comments regarding the proposed rule changes until Nov. 2. Tens of thousands of comments have already been submitted by community members concerned about the integrity and accuracy of the census count. I encourage you to join the fight to save the census and submit your own comment to the Federal Register here.