Quick Facts: Georgia
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 63% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 58% of metrics met
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Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 48% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 88% 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: 61% of metrics met
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Systems: 28% of metrics met
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Environment: 0% of metrics met
State Score 2021: 46
State Ranking 2021: 40
2021 Score
2020 Score
43
46
Georgia Highlights
Some areas where Georgia has moved the needle relative to other states include providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently, addressing their educational needs, and allowing them to access critical supports and services.
Law & Policy
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The state has extended foster care to age 21 under certain circumstances and allows young adults under 21 to opt back into services after exiting if needed.
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The state doesn’t consider running away a criminal offense.
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The state gives minors contract rights OR allows them to enter into binding contracts for certain purposes (e.g. necessities).
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The state explicitly allows unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage (without parental consent).
Systems
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Youth can obtain a state-issued identification card without parental consent.
Environment
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None.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement across the metrics for the Peach State. Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness, preventing their contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems, and protecting the rights and interests of youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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Allow shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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Establish a state Runaway & Homeless Youth Act.
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Decriminalize harboring a runaway youth or concealing a minor.
Systems
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The state should create and adopt a public plan to end homelessness that includes youth (and specifically LGBTQ+ youth).
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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.
Environment
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The state should establish and maintain a stipended community advisory board for youth 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 nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in youth homelessness services.
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