The target population is low-income, at-risk youth, ages 7 to 19, who attend schools in the Orleans Parish School District (OPSD). During a normal school year, approximately 200 school-based youths will be case-managed and another 200 youths will receive outreach services. For the new school year 2004-2005, the parents of the participating youth will receive a secondary intervention complementing the services that will be made available to their children.

Socioeconomic information from the OPSD School Profiles also show a community struggling with poverty and the many negative consequences of marginalization and discrimination. The OPSD School Profiles show a primarily low-income minority population. Ninety-six percent of them qualify for free or reduced lunch by federal poverty standards and 55% are considered “at-risk”.

Just Willing Foundation has provided services related to adolescent reproductive health since its incorporation. One of JW’s aims is to impact morbidity due to HIV/AIDS, STDs, and teenage pregnancy. These factors affect quality-of-life outcomes such as future employability, income, family stability, and opportunity for higher education.