Ken Hodges of Claritas, represents the Association of Public Data Users (APDU) on the 2010 Census Advisory Committee (CAC).  The joint meeting held in October was for the 2010 CAC, the Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee, and the Advisory Committee of Professional Associations.   Here is a very brief summary from his extensive notes.

2010 Communications Plan:  the objective for 2010 is to integrate the advertising and partnership programs, which were separate programs in 2000.  The Census Bureau has selected the firm DraftFCB as the primary contractor for the Communications Program.  The CEO of DraftFCB is Peter DeNunzio.  There will be several partner companies which will focus on Hispanic, Asian, Native American and Alaska Natives, South Asian, Eastern European and Arab-speaking populations.   New media technology (e.g. YouTube) will be part of the program.  The DRAFT 2010 Communications plan is due in early February 2008, and the plan will be presented to the advisory committees in April-May 2008.

FEEDBACK to CB:

Many CAC members said that access to the copyrighted advertising materials would be helpful for the partnership program.

Concerns about confidentiality must be handled carefully, and coordination with immigration officials to limit raids and deportations during the census field period is important.

The Communications program should focus not only on increasing mailback returns to reduce costs, but strive to reduce differential undercount.  Among the recommendations were to expand the languages in questionnaire assistance and Be Counted programs, and addressing different levels of literacy.

INFO from CB:

Some CB Regional offices are already in touch with state and local partners, and will start adding new partnership staff in January 2008 (budgets permitting). 

The confirmation hearing for Steve Murdock as the CB Director will likely occur in November.

Let me know if you want a copy of his full notes.

Elaine