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Cheyenne Today
By the People, for the People
Wyoming Law Empowers Homeless Youth to Secure Housing and Jobs
The Unaccompanied Students Initiative offers homeless teens a safe home, life skills, and education support to help them build independent futures.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:09am
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The Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI) is a program in Wyoming that helps homeless youth between the ages of 16-20 in Cheyenne and Laramie secure housing, education, and job opportunities. The program emphasizes education and life skills development, and is made possible by a unique Wyoming law that allows homeless 16-17 year-olds to enter into contracts with an affidavit from a qualified adult.
Why it matters
Youth homelessness is an often overlooked issue, as many homeless teens try to 'camouflage' their situation by couch surfing or living in a car. The USI program aims to provide these vulnerable young people with the support and resources they need to build stable, independent futures, which can have a significant impact on their long-term wellbeing and success.
The details
The USI program focuses first on education, then on developing the life skills and tools young people need to live independently. A key aspect of the program is Wyoming's law that allows homeless 16-17 year-olds to enter into contracts with an affidavit from a qualified adult, such as a counselor or clergy member. This law makes it possible for these youth to secure housing, medical care, and other necessities without requiring parental consent.
- The USI program has branches in Cheyenne and Laramie, but the Casper branch was forced to close due to lack of funding.
- Julie Fogg, the network director for USI, was a guest on the 'Weekend in Wyoming' radio program on April 8, 2026.
The players
Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI)
A program in Wyoming that helps homeless youth between the ages of 16-20 secure housing, education, and job opportunities.
Julie Fogg
The network director for the Unaccompanied Students Initiative.
What they’re saying
“We focus on education first. The we focus on life skills and all of the tools that a young person would need to be independent and successful as they move into the next season of their life.”
— Julie Fogg, Network Director, Unaccompanied Students Initiative
“It's really easy for those people to camouflage by 'couch surfing' or living in a car or something similar.”
— Julie Fogg, Network Director, Unaccompanied Students Initiative
What’s next
The Unaccompanied Students Initiative continues to provide support and resources to homeless youth in Cheyenne and Laramie, and may serve as a model for similar programs in other states.
The takeaway
Wyoming's unique law allowing homeless 16-17 year-olds to enter into contracts has enabled the Unaccompanied Students Initiative to provide critical support and services to vulnerable youth, helping them build stable, independent futures despite the challenges of homelessness.
