With the 2010 census weeks away, local advocates for the headcount say participation of “hard to count” groups — such as the Latino community — will be vital statistically and could also mean a difference of millions of federal dollars over the next 10 years.

Each year, more than $400 billion federal dollars are parceled out to state and local governments to support schools, local public transportation and other community services, based solely on population count. In the midst of economic challenges, a lack of census participation could be devastating.

“The census has always been important, but more now than ever,” said Sallie Ayala-Perez, regional coordinator for the National Association of Latino and Appointed Officials’ census outreach in the Central Valley. “It’s imperative we count everyone, because we cannot afford to miss out on any money that will help our community survive this economic crisis.”

In California, each person who goes uncounted in the census could cost the state an estimated $1,300 each year for 10 years, according to the California Senate’s Web site. For every uncounted family of five, that equates to a loss of about $65,000 dollars in a decade.

“Our communities are rapidly growing, and you don’t have to look much farther than Patterson to see it,” local census advocate Luis Molina said. “In future years, we are going to need more money to put into infrastructure, recreational programs and our education system.

“No matter who you are, you have a duty to be counted to provide for our community.”

Census workers have said they realize getting an accurate count might be hard to actually accomplish, as California has 22 percent of the nation’s “hardest to count” populations. Those groups traditionally include the homeless, poor families, minorities, children and people who are isolated by language.

This year, the U.S. Census Bureau has also acknowledged that renters, families living in large households and individuals whose homes have gone through or are in foreclosure should be considered part of that group.

Specifically among undocumented immigrants and their families — a large percentage of California’s Latino population — fears have grown in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that information given for the census will be leaked to other branches of government.

“It’s the spread of misinformation that actually got me to get involved,” Molina said. “Latinos in general, as well as other minorities, have been reluctant to trust the government, and we’ve been working hard to dispel the myths about the census by focusing our efforts on giving accurate information.”

The census bureau is legally prevented from sharing someone’s personal information with anyone else. That pledge of confidentiality extends to other government agencies, such as the FBI, the CIA, the welfare department, the immigration department and even the president.

All information is also sealed for 70 years, and anyone who discloses information can be fined $250,000 and imprisoned for five years, according to the official census Web site.

For Patterson resident Margarita, who would not provide her last name, her duty to provide for her children will overrule any fear she has of the government when the time comes to participate in the census.

“Participating in the census is something I need to do to make sure my kids are taken care of,” she said. “Schools are already losing a lot of money, and there are too many kids for each teacher.

“If I can help fix that, to help provide the schools to give my kids a better education, I’m going to do it.”

For Census assistance

Patterson:

• Patterson Public Library, 46 N. Salado Ave.

Newman:

• Newman Public Library, 1305 Kern St.

Modesto:

• Modesto City Hall, 1010 10th St.

• Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I St.

• Stanislaus County Office of Education, 1100 H St.

• El Concilio, 1314 H St.

• Maddux Youth Center, 615 Sierra Drive

Turlock:

• United Samaritans Foundation, 220 S. Broadway

• Assvrian Community Center, 2618 N. Golden State Blvd.

To take part in the Census

Patterson:

• Patterson Family Resource Center, 118 N. Second St., Ste. D

Modesto:

• Indian Bazaar, 2045 W. Briggsmore Ave.

• Healthy Start, 1725 Las Vegas St.

• Modesto Junior College, 435 College Ave.

Turlock:

• City of Turlock Recreation, 301 Starr Ave.

•Turlock Public Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave.

•For general information, visit the official U.S. Census Bureau Web site at www.census.gov.