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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature designates the month of November as
11 "Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month."
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ designates the month of November as "Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness
15 Month"; and
16 ▸ recognizes the efforts of those addressing the problem of youth homelessness.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
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20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS, between 900 and 5,000 youth in Utah experience homelessness each year,
22 the majority of whom are forced to live outdoors, on the streets, or in other places unfit for
23 human habitation;
24 WHEREAS, families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless
25 population and now account for approximately one-third of all homeless individuals;
26 WHEREAS, homeless and runaway youth are more likely to become chronically
27 homeless adults later in life;
28 WHEREAS, 32% of homeless youth attempt suicide;
29 WHEREAS, many youth experience isolation and trauma while homeless, which can
30 lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder;
31 WHEREAS, one of every three homeless youth will take illegal drugs for the first time
32 while homeless;
33 WHEREAS, many homeless youth are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of
34 leaving home and are susceptible to becoming victims of human trafficking;
35 WHEREAS, homeless youth are typically too poor to secure basic needs, are unable to
36 access adequate medical or mental health care, and often engage in "survival sex" in exchange
37 for food, clothing, or shelter;
38 WHEREAS, 12-36% of youth in foster care will experience homelessness at least once
39 after exiting foster care;
40 WHEREAS, homeless youth are most often expelled from their homes without
41 adequate resources after being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by their guardians or
42 after being separated from their parents through death, divorce, or family rejection;
43 WHEREAS, 75% of homeless or runaway youth have dropped out of school or will
44 drop out of school; and
45 WHEREAS, a heightened awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and its
46 causes is essential for programs involving businesses, families, law enforcement agencies,
47 schools, and community and faith-based organizations to be effective at helping youth remain
48 off the streets, and for making youth homelessness prevention a local and state priority:
49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
50 designates the month of November as "Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month" and
51 encourages businesses, organizations, and volunteers to continue to intensify their efforts to
52 address the needs of homeless and runaway youth.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the values and efforts of
54 businesses, organizations, and volunteers who are dedicated to preventing youth homelessness
55 and to meeting the needs of homeless children and teens.
56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature applauds the initiative taken, and
57 the time and resources donated by businesses, organizations, and volunteers, to increase the
58 public's awareness of the problems of youth homelessness and increase awareness of the causes
59 and potential solutions for youth homelessness, and also applauds the work they have
60 performed through effective public and private partnerships to prevent homelessness among
61 children and teens.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-29-15 11:52 AM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel