Presenter: Dorothy Larkin, PhD, RN; Toni Russo, MSN, CNS; Abby Robbin, MSN, CNS
Format: Video of slides with synchronized audio

This session will describe a pilot partnership project of Hope Community Services and the Clinical Nurse Specialist Master's program of The College of New Rochelle. Three advanced practice holistic nurses have been providing health promoting support groups for mothers and children living in poverty who utilize the soup kitchen and services offered at the Hope Community Center in New Rochelle, NY. These biweekly support groups were initiated as part of the clinical component for the curriculum requirements in the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Holistic Nursing program at The College of New Rochelle. The support groups provide opportunity for mothers and children to engage in meaningful dialogue, and receive education in stress management, assertive communication and constructive conflict resolution, nutrition, healthful activities/lifestyles and mindful parenting strategies. Holistic modalities such as relaxation techniques, imagery, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, and chair yoga, music and aromatherapy relaxation are integrated in the groups. The faculty and two graduates from CNR's program are expanding the program to include research examining self-defined health promoting goals for the mothers and mother/child defined health goals for the children.

Learning Objectives
- To introduce participants to the process of providing integrative nursing support groups
- To describe the process of initiating an academic/community partnership for promoting health of disenfranchised individuals in communities.
- To describe how integrative nursing support groups are cost effective and aligned with the Affordable Health Care Act and health care reform.