Law & Policy
- State law allows youth in need of care to receive services without court involvement.
- State law does not specifically criminalize running away.
- State law provides youth experiencing homelessness some contract rights.
- The state allows unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage on their own.
Systems
- There is a current state plan to end homelessness that contains a youth-specific strategy component.
- There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
Environment
- The state promotes safe and inclusive environments in child welfare and juvenile justice programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The state has banned conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Law & Policy
- Enact and fund a state law similar to the federal RHYA to provide key intervention and emergency services for youth experiencing homelessness.
- Ensure that shelters are able to take in youth experiencing homelessness with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
- Implement a grievance process for students experiencing homelessness that complies with federal law and allow students to earn partial and alternative school credits.
Systems
- As part of the state plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, include a strategy to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
- Create a state entity - such as an Office of Homeless Youth Services - that focuses solely on designing, implementing, and evaluating youth homelessness programs.
Environment
- Organize and maintain a self-governing youth action board or council to inform youth homelessness policy within the state.
- 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.
- Promote safe and inclusive environments in runaway and homeless youth programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.