Quick Facts: Nevada
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 66% 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: 43% 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: 78% of metrics met
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Systems: 72% of metrics met
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Environment: 24% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 60
State Ranking 2022: 17
2022 Score
2021 Score
56
60
Nevada Highlights
Some areas where Nevada has moved the needle relative to other states include addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness and 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 explicitly allows partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth through regulations.
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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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There is a current state plan to end homelessness.
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There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
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Youth can obtain a state-issued identification card without require parental consent.
Environment
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The state has banned conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
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The state promotes safe and inclusive environments in child welfare programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Silver State, with emphasis on the Environment category. Protecting the rights and interests of youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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The state should provide transportation home after discharge from the juvenile justice system.
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The state should allow shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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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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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Require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development, or issues specific to LGBTQ youth for staff working in runaway and homeless youth systems.
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Promote safe and inclusive environments in child welfare, juvenile justice, and runaway and homeless youth programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.