Quick Facts: Kansas
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 69% 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: 67% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 100% of metrics met
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Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 83% 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: 22% of metrics met
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Environment: 6% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 50
State Ranking 2022: 33
2022 Score
2021 Score
50
46
Kansas Highlights
Some areas where Kansas has moved the needle relative to other states include providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently.
Law & Policy
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State law does not specifically criminalize running away.
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State law provides youth experiencing homelessness some contract rights.
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The state has a grievance process for homeless students in compliance with federal law and allows partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth.
Systems
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There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
Environment
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The state establishes protected class status based on one's sexual orientation and gender identity for juvenile justice programs.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Sunflower State, with emphasis on the Law & Policy and Environment categories. Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness should be prioritized. Additionally, 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 youth experiencing homelessness with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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The state should explicitly allow unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage without parental consent.
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 nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in youth homelessness services.