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Learning Objective #1: gain an understanding of how an integration of service, research and teaching can lead to an improved provision of care for vulnerable populations.

Learning Objective #2: gain an understanding of how persons in vulnerable siuations can become involved in self-care that will lead to an improvement in their level of wellness.

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As managers of a Community Health Clinic (CHC) for the vulnerable populations living within the city of Fredericton, the Faculty of Nursing is experienced in providing primary health care services to a wide range of persons living in vulnerable environments. Through the integration of service, teaching and research, the facility offers an alternative model of health care delivery that incorporates the patient/client as an active member of the health care team. Care is offered through the collaboration of an inter-professional team of providers. Programming occurs following a participatory action research format with all evaluation informing the direction of each program. Because the CHC was developed based on a community development model, members of the targeted populations, as well as, members of the community at large have been involved in the service delivery model from the beginning stages. This has allowed the targeted community members to gain confidence in dealing with their health issues. In addition, they have gained recognition within the larger community as being persons who can advocate for appropriate services that will allow them to engage in self care activities. The presentation will discuss the process of developing a service delivery model to assist person’s living in vulnerable situations to engage in self care. The discussion will include examples of how the model integrates teaching, research and service to promote an environment in which all activities are rooted in the available evidence. Examples in the form of case studies will be used to illustrate how patients/clients demonstrate new self- care practices.