Since its establishment in 1991, the Drop-In Center has provided primary and preventative healthcare to homeless, transient and at-risk youth.  In 2002, the Drop-In Center officially expanded to include a Supportive Services component comprised of a day center, outreach services and a peer education program.  Most recently in 2005, the mental health program was added to include the services of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychiatrist. 

The Drop-In Center is located on the fringes of the French Quarter where homeless and at-risk youth flock to work, socialize and seek services.  Previous to Hurricane Katrina, all of the Drop-In Center services were located in one building.  When the building was severely damaged by the storm, the Center was forced to grab rental space where it was available (no easy feat in post-K New Orleans.)  Currently the clinic operates out of the Covenant House of New Orleans and the day center is located next door to the old building while repairs are being made.  The rebuilding process has been slow but we still have hope that we will be in our new facility soon! 

The Drop-In Center’s affiliation with Tulane University is housed within the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine which is a part of the Tulane Health Sciences Center.  While the Drop-In Center is an independent entity, responsible for procuring its own funding through grants, contracts and fundraising events, Tulane University provides fiduciary oversight for the organization.  As such, the Drop-In Center is incorporated under Tulane’s 501(c)(3) status and receives the services of the Tulane Offices of Human Resources, Payroll, EEOC and Research Administration.   Fiscal oversight for Drop-In Center programs is paid through indirect costs budgeted in agency grants and contracts.