The overall goals of this project are: To refine and facilitate a Delaware-specific survey tool to collect data on the number of unaccompanied youths aged 13-25 in Delaware and those youth aged 13-25 who are at risk for homelessness (home insecure), including demographics, past housing experiences, and barriers to housing and health supports for this population (i.e., age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, stable housing, school, employment, social support access). To do a comprehensive youth and barriers analysis to include the collected data from the survey and existing available data highlighting disparities and areas for targeted intervention across sectors, particularly the Division of Public Health. To organize from the comprehensive youth count a sub-count and analysis of LGBTQ+ youth and their unique experiences, barriers, and needs, with areas for targeted intervention across sectors, particularly the Division of Public Health. To strengthen community partnerships, increase the awareness of existing resources for youth experiencing homelessness and home insecurity, and expose gaps and areas of opportunities strategic intervention and for resource reallocation. To provide an accurate statewide baseline of data for homeless and home-insecure youth and their barriers to housing and health supports to inform policy, services, and resource allocation with recommendations and actions for change. To begin to address and implement the recommendations arising from the analysis.
