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Purpose and rationale: A tri-state neonatal education consortium was developed between The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), University of Delaware(UD), and Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) in response to a lack of educational programs for MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) and the shortage of NNPs in the tri-state are. This is one of the first educational consortium in the USA where in TJU provides the clinical and support education curriculum for preparation of NNPs for tri-state Universities. An NNP student receives their core curriculum at any of the three Universities. The NNP student then takes their advanced practice neonatal curriculum at TJU. The lack of such programs in these states diminishes the employment of NNPs and access to care of underserved populations. The three foci of the consortium are: underserved populations, education of diverse and culturally competent health care force, and high risk children. Advanced Practice Nurses form a critical link in the solution to access to quality neonatal health care. Removing barriers t advanced practice nursing will pay a healthy dividend now and in the future. Implementation: of this innovative educational model developed out of external influences: regional shortage of NPs, NNP faculty shortage, lack of regional programs, and HP 2010 objectives. Internal influences driving the development of this consortium were leadership and changing value systems. Educational leadership and federal funding were crucial in implementing this innovative consortium. Change in health outcomes of infant mortality, diversity of NNP work force, and NNP cultural competency and sensitivity will be measured in this model utilizing the VARK and TSET instruments. Evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative data will be used to measure the outcomes. The CIPP model is the evaluation tool utilized to look at the context, input, process and product evaluation of the consortium.