Quick Facts: Wyoming
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 55% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 42% 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: 17% 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: 67% of metrics met
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Environment: 6% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 49
State Ranking 2022: 35
2022 Score
2021 Score
49
45
Wyoming Highlights
Wyoming has moved the needle relative to other states in 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 partial or full contract rights for homeless youth.
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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 that contains a youth-specific strategy component.
Environment
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The state establishes protected class status based on one's sexual orientation and gender identity for child welfare programs.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Equality State, throughout the Law & Policy, Systems, and Environment categories. Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness, allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services, and protecting the rights and interests of LGBTQ youth should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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Enact and fund a state law similar to the federal RHYA to provide key intervention and emergency services for youth experiencing homelessness.
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Allow shelters to take in youth experiencing homelessness with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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Allow partial and alternative school credit accrual for youth experiencing homelessness.
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.
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Create an Interagency Council on Homelessness that mirrors the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), providing a multi-sector approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness.
Environment
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Organize and maintain a self-governing youth action board or council to inform youth homelessness policy within the state.
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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 juvenile justice, and runaway and homeless youth programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Ban harmful and ineffective service provision that includes conversion therapy.