Welcome!
In this seminar, we will take a look at the U.S. Census Bureau's Office of Congressional
and Intergovernmental Affairs and its services available to you.
In this presentation you will learn about: the functions of the U.S. Census Bureau, the
services OCIA provides, and the Census Data Tools that are available to your offices.
Let's get started!
The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the
nation's people and economy.
We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct
our work openly.
We are guided on this mission by scientific objectivity, our strong and capable workforce,
our devotion to research-based innovation, and our abiding commitment to our customers.
The Census collects different types of data, such as The Decennial Census, The Census of
Governments, The Economic Census, The American Community Survey, and over 130 other agriculture,
crime, demographic, economic, health, and housing surveys.
The most popular data collected by the bureau is the Decennial Census.
In fact, the U.S. Decennial Census is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution
and takes place every 10 years.
A census aims to count the entire population of a country, and at the location where each
person usually lives.
Our goal is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place.
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a Census of Governments of all state and local government
organization units every 5 years, for years ending in 2 and 7, as required by law under
Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 161.
The collection of these data will: identify the scope and nature of the nation's state
and local governments; classify local government organizations, powers, and activities; provide
authoritative benchmark data on public finance and public employment; and measure state and
local governments' fiscal relationships.
The Economic Census is the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business
and the economy.
Government agencies, businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, and others use economic data
to develop public policy, evaluate industry growth, plan disaster relief services, assist
local businesses, and much more.
The American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on
a yearly basis about our nation and its people.
Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $400 billion
in federal and state funds are distributed each year.
How does Census-collected data affect your offices and constituents?
Census data is used to for Congressional Apportionment.
This is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the House of Representatives
among the 50 states based on the population figures collected during the Decennial Census.
Decennial Census data are used for geographically defining state legislative districts, also
known as the "redistricting" process.
The results from our periodic census provide information on the U.S. population to help
state legislatures or independent bi-partisan commissions to redraw lines for electoral
districts and constituency boundaries.
The data that we collect also provides guidance to over 100 federal financial assistance programs
for geographic fund distribution.
Lastly, our data helps ensure fair, equitable distributions of funds to states and local
areas.
How to connect to the Census for your Congressional office?
You may access Census-collected data through our website at www.census.gov
If you seek additional information, or would like to submit casework on behalf of a constituent,
you may contact directly our Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.
How is the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division divided?
The Flow Chart on this presentation shows the basic composition of OCIA and its management.
OCIA is divided into two branches: The Congressional Affairs Office and The Intergovernmental Affairs
Office.
The Office of Congressional Affairs also overlooks the Correspondence Quality Assurance Staff,
which is responsible for addressing concerns in executive correspondence.
The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, on the other hand, also oversees projects related
to Tribal Affairs.
Now that we know the basic composition of OCIA, let's take a closer look at each of
the services that the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs has to offer.
The functions of the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs include:
Advise the Director, senior staff, and program areas on Congressional and intergovernmental
issues, tribal affairs, and correspondence management.
Advise Congress, state and local governments, and tribal associations on the Census Bureau
programs and policies.
And respond to Census data inquiries from Congress
The Congressional Affairs Branch, or CAO, supports congressional engagement on behalf
of the Director, senior staff, and program areas.
They elicit content and advice from agency subject matter experts to addresses issues
that require executive attention.
CAO also works in conjunctions with the Department of Commerce's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental
Affairs.
The Intergovernmental Affairs Branch, or IAO, establishes and maintains relationship with
state and local governments as well as tribal associations regarding Census Bureau programs
and products.
They support activities in anticipation of the adoption of public statements or official
policy that use agency programs.
Lastly, IAO dedicates part of its efforts to educate others on Census Bureau programs
and policies of interest.
Now, let's talk about Census Data Tools!
How do you find Census data?
First, you must access the bureau's official website at www.census.gov.
This will take you to the Census homepage.
Once you have accessed the Census homepage, you may then click on the "Data" tab at the
top of the page.
You may then choose the "Data Tools and Apps" box to view different data products that the
Census has to offer.
Let's take a look at the different data products that we have available for you!
My Congressional District is a data tool that provides quick and easy access to selected
statistics about your Congressional District, collected through the American Community Survey
and the County Business Patterns.
Statistics cover age, employment, business, education, and much more.
My Congressional District is simple and easy to use.
First, search by state and Congressional District, and My Congressional District will calculate
the rest.
If you don't know your district's number, you may also type in your zip code in the
designated box.
The information provided will give you a clearer picture of your Congressional District.
My Tribal Area gives quick access to selected statistics on people, jobs, housing, finance,
and education on the American Indian and Alaska Native population.
It's very simple.
You may search information directly based on the Tribal Area or you may search by state
and Tribal Area.
Download the App for free and try it out!
Quick Facts provides easy access to facts about people, business, and geography.
It creates tables, maps, and charts about your state, county and communities.
There are two available editions of the Census Business Builder.
The Small Business Edition helps guide small business owners opening or expanding a business.
The Regional Analysts Edition helps understand the economy and demographics of a user-defined
region.
These are some of the Census Data Tools that we have available for you.
If you would like to see more, we invite you to visit our website and try these data tools.
If you have any further comments or questions, you may contact the Office of Congressional
and Intergovernmental Affairs by mail at 4600 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD, 20233.
You may also call us at 301-763-6100.
Or contact us by e-mail at cao@census.gov.
This presentation was created by fellow interns at the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental
Affairs (OCIA) and the Policy Coordination Office (PCO) at the U.S. Census Bureau.