​​Performance Breakdown

• Law & Policy: 66% of metrics met
   

  • Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 42% of metrics met 
     

  • Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 62% of metrics met 
     

  • Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 75% of metrics met
     

  • Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 100% of metrics met 
     

  • Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 72% of metrics met 
     

• Systems: 61% of metrics met 
   

• Environment: 18% of metrics met

State Score 2021: 57
State Ranking 2021: 19

2021 Score

2020 Score

51

57

Law & Policy

• The state doesn’t consider running away a criminal offense.
   

• The state gives minors contract rights OR allows them to enter into binding contracts for certain purposes (e.g. necessities).
   

• The state explicitly allows partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth through regulations.
   

• The state explicitly allows unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage without parental consent.

Systems

• There is a current state plan to end homelessness that contains a youth-specific strategy component.

Environment

• 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. 

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Law & Policy

• The state should  allow shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.

Systems

• As part of the state plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, include a strategy to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
   

• The state should create an entity – such as an Office of Youth Homelessness Services – that focuses solely on designing, implementing, and evaluating youth homelessness programs.