PolicyMap Attends U.S. Census Meeting!

Last week, PolicyMap sat in on the inaugural meeting of the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations at the Census’ headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. Established earlier this month, the Committee is intended to help the Bureau think through strategies for improving counts for traditionally undercounted populations and provide advice on a number of issues impacting the implementation of the Bureau’s programs and surveys. The Committee, made up of 32 members from a variety of disciplines, brings expertise on topics such as housing, children, youth, poverty, privacy, race and ethnicity, LBGTQ and other populations. The meeting covered topics ranging from the latest research at the Census’ newly-established Center for Adaptive Design to the Bureau’s plans to potentially expand the use of administrative records (such as IRS forms and selective service records) in the survey process. As the Census Acting Director, Tom Mesenbourg, states, “now more than ever, the challenges we currently face demand that we solicit good ideas and advice, seek new perspectives, and fully engage as many external experts as we can to help us address these challenges.” You can read more about the meeting here.