Yupi Internet Inc., Miami beach, FL, a Spanish-language network comprised of Internet sites featuring portals and Web-based communities, said Friday that it has joined forces with the U.S. Census Bureau in an effort to encourage Hispanic households to participate in Census 2000
The partnership will allow Yupi to provide Spanish language information and direct access to the Census’ site through one of its Spanish-language Web channels.
According to the Census Bureau, 62 percent of U.S. households have already returned their Census 2000 forms by mail, but there are many households that are still unaccounted for in the survey. The nationwide goal is to have at least 65 percent participation.
Current Census 2000 figures for some states with large Hispanic communities show that participation is still lagging behind the national rate of 62 percent: Florida, 59 percent; New York, 59 percent; Texas, 58 percent; and Puerto Rico, 44 percent. California currently has a response rate of 64 percent and New Jersey has 63 percent, which are all above the current
national rate, but still below the government's overall participation goal of 65 percent.
Visitors will be able to find up-to-date information in Spanish, such as important dates and numbers, reasons for participating in this process, an explanation on how to complete the forms and how a registrant's privacy will be protected on Yupi.com's Gobierno (Government) channel. In addition, visitors will be able to link directly to the Census site and gain access to a
toll-free number that will enable them to speak to Spanish-speaking representatives that will help them complete the Census form in their language of preference.
“Yupi is pleased to disseminate essential information to the Hispanic communities living in the United States. We strongly believe the Hispanic population will significantly benefit from this process and the Internet is the fastest way for them to find out all the details and answer their questions regarding the Census,” said Gustavo Morles, vice president, Yupi Internet.
In order to ensure all U.S. Hispanics participate, the Census Bureau has identified the households that have not responded and has begun sending door by enumerators to follow these households with door-to-door visits. Households that have not completed the Census forms yet can still submit their forms electronically or by mail.
The 1970 decennial census “long” form was the first to have a question on Hispanic origin. Hispanic origin data is needed for the implementation of a number of federal statues such as enforcement of bilingual election rules under the Voting Rights Act and the monitoring and enforcement of equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act. In addition, community leaders make extensive use of this information — from planning schools and building highways to providing recreational facilities and administrating medical care services.
