Colleagues, Here are two critical updates from the Census Bureau, forwarded by Senator Schatz's office. - The Bureau is suspending field operations until April 1, 2020 (see below) - The Bureau is delaying the start of the Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Program until April 13 (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/modifying-2020-operations-for-counting-college-students.html) These schedule changes, which are due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, mean that it's more important than ever to support adult learners in completing the Census online, on the phone, or on paper to ensure that all are counted. Visit the https://www.newreaderspress.com/news-for-you-free-samplewebsite for online articles and a teacher's guide on the Census, and the https://nelrc.org/stand-up-and-be-counted/census2020/classroom-resources/page (New England Literacy Resorce Center at World Education) for lesson packets that can be downloaded and printed for distribution. Deborah Deborah Kennedy President, National Coalition for Literacy http://www.key-words.us http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org Subject: U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham on Operational Updates   U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham on Operational Updates Less than one week ago, the 2020 Census fully kicked off, and invitations continue to arrive in mailboxes across the nation.  As of this morning, more than eleven million households have responded. America is stepping up to shape our future and ensure families and communities are counted.  Beginning today, in support of guidance on what we can all do to help http://link.quorumoutbox.com/f/a/7yomBeughFiyPD5MuiBqfg~~/AACYXwA~/RgRgVOWQP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2hpdGVob3VzZS5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjAvMDMvMDMuMTYuMjBfY29yb25hdmlydXMtZ3VpZGFuY2VfOC41eDExXzMxNVBNLnBkZlcDc3BjQgoAH5dgcl5QAwpwUh50cmVsYWluZV9pdG9Ac2NoYXR6LnNlbmF0ZS5nb3ZYBAAAAAA~, 2020 Census field operations will be suspended for two weeks until April 1, 2020. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions. During this pause in field operations, the Census Bureau will continue to evaluate all 2020 Census operations. Should any additional adjustments need to be made, the Census Bureau will communicate these changes broadly and promptly.  In late May, census takers around the nation will begin visiting households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census to help complete the count. As we continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, we will adjust census taker and survey operations as necessary in order to follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also respond by phone or mail. Everyone should respond to the 2020 Census as soon as they receive their invitation — and when they’re finished, they can make sure their friends, families and social networks know about the importance of responding.   It has never been easier to respond to the census, and the 2020 Census will count everyone accurately. We recognize that many people plan to access the 2020 Census through other response modes, such as phone or paper, which is why the 2020 Census has such a nimble design.  On March 15, 2020, the Census Bureau http://link.quorumoutbox.com/f/a/WozjW823FwoBeYotVNzXMw~~/AACYXwA~/RgRgVOWQP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9uZXdzcm9vbS9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlcy8yMDIwL21vZGlmeWluZy0yMDIwLW9wZXJhdGlvbnMtZm9yLWNvdW50aW5nLWNvbGxlZ2Utc3R1ZGVudHMuaHRtbFcDc3BjQgoAH5dgcl5QAwpwUh50cmVsYWluZV9pdG9Ac2NoYXR6LnNlbmF0ZS5nb3ZYBAAAAAA~ to our group quarters operations to accommodate recent scheduling changes on college campuses as leadership takes action to keep students and faculty safe. For all other Census Bureau household and economic surveys separate from the 2020 Decennial Census, Bureau personnel will begin using phone calls instead of in-person visits. In the limited number of instances where an in-person visit is necessary, we are working closely with public health authorities to ensure each visit is accomplished safely. Once again, we encourage everyone to respond online today at http://link.quorumoutbox.com/f/a/BsakQfTiipPmWf_NdEPZNg~~/AACYXwA~/RgRgVOWQP0QXaHR0cHM6Ly8yMDIwY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9XA3NwY0IKAB-XYHJeUAMKcFIedHJlbGFpbmVfaXRvQHNjaGF0ei5zZW5hdGUuZ292WAQAAAAA  With the flexibility and support of the American people, we will achieve a complete and accurate count which helps guide funding decisions for things like hospitals, roads and emergency services. Respondents can also respond by calling the number provided in their invitation or by mail once they have received a paper form.