Quick Facts: Delaware
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 65% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 42% of metrics met
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Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 62% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 75% of metrics met
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Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 100% of metrics met
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Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 67% of metrics met
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Systems: 61% of metrics met
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Environment: 18% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 56
State Ranking 2022: 25
2022 Score
2021 Score
57
56
Delaware Highlights
Delaware has moved the needle relative to other states in providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently and addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness.
Law & Policy
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The state does not consider runaway youth as delinquent or a status offender.
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State law provides partial or full contract rights for youth experiencing homelessness.
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The state explicitly allows partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth through regulations.
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The state allows unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage on their own.
Systems
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There is a current state plan to end homelessness that contains a youth-specific strategy component.
Environment
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The state has banned conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the First State, with emphasis on the Environment category. Laws addressing protecting the rights and interests of youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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The state should allow shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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Enact an established process for emancipation.
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Enact a state law allowing shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
Systems
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As part of the state plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, include a strategy to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
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Create a state entity – such as an Office of Homeless Youth Services – that focuses solely on designing, implementing, and evaluating youth homelessness programs.
Environment
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The state should establish and maintain stipends for a community advisory board that informs youth homelessness policy (Youth Action Board).
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The state should require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development, or issues specific to LGBTQ youth for staff working in RHY systems.
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The state should establish protected class status based on one's sexual orientation and gender identity for runaway and homeless youth programs.