​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Performance Breakdown

• Law & Policy: 55% of metrics met
   

  • Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 33% of metrics met 
     

  • Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 67% 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: 33% of metrics met 
     

  • Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 56% of metrics met 
     

• Systems: 100% of metrics met 
   

• Environment: 29% of metrics met

State Score 2021: 59
State Ranking 2021: 16

2021 Score

2020 Score

59

56

Law & Policy

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

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

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

Systems​​

• There is a state entity (Office of homeless youth services, homeless youth state coordinator, commission on homeless youth, etc.) that focuses solely on youth homelessness.

• There is a current state plan to end homelessness.

  • The state plan has a "youth" and LGBTQ+ component.

• ​The state does not require parental consent for youth to obtain state-issued identification cards.

Environment

• The state maintains a community advisory board for youth that informs youth homelessness policy.

• The state establishes protected class status based on one's sexual orientation and gender identity for juvenile justice programs.

Law & Policy

• Enact and fund a state law similar to the federal RHYA to provide key intervention and emergency services for youth experiencing homelessness.

• Allow partial and alternative school credit accrual for youth experiencing homelessness.

• The state should explicitly allow unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage (without parental consent).

Systems

• None,

Environment

• 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.

• The state should establish nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in youth homelessness services.

• Ban harmful and ineffective service provision that includes conversion therapy.