The Census Information Center program is part of the U.S. Census Bureau's data dissemination network.
The Census Information Center (CIC) Program was started in 1988 to improve access to census data by minority groups and economically disadvantaged segments of the population, who have been traditionally undercounted in censuses and surveys. The original five participating organizations were: The National Urban League, The National Council of La Raza, the William C. Velasquez Institute, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Americans for Indian Opportunity (replaced by the Native America Public Telecommunications). For more than a decade, from 1988 to April 2000, the CIC program did not grow beyond the original 5 organizations and languished due to a lack of funding and support.
In April 2000, the Census Bureau renewed its commitment to close the minority and economic gap in data access by expanding the CIC Program to include 54 additional organizations representing under-served communities, bringing the number of Program participants to 59 organizations. Funding was made available for training, data products, postage and staff to ensure the success of the Program.
Between 2000 and 2005 15 organizations left the program for various reasons. In September 2006, the Census Bureau admitted an additional 13 organizations.