The Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, today released an online toolkit of resources designed to help teachers and families communicate the importance of the 2020 Census to their students and children.

The toolkit, now available at louisianabelieves.com, includes general informational resources, such as flyers, statistics, and videos, as well as a suite of learning activities by grade level, from counting for pre-kindergartners to examining career statistics for high schoolers.

“We are proud to partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure every child counts in Louisiana,” State Superintendent John White said. “A complete and accurate census is critical for all communities, as the results affect various aspects of education, from offering affordable, healthy school lunch options to providing high-quality early care and education to supporting historically disadvantaged students and their families.”

The Constitution mandates a count–or a census–of the population every 10 years. The census counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. In March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, respondents can complete the survey by phone, by mail, or for the first time, online. Census responses are confidential.

The census count helps determine allocation of state representatives in Congress, which is also used for redistricting.

Census count also helps the federal government determine how much each state receives of more than $675 billion worth of funding and grants distributed every year.