The program was initiated in September of 1991, after a multiagency conference to address how to best serve the single parent on AFDC without a high school diploma and with multiple barriers to making changes in their lives. Also, at that time, various state and local agencies, many working with the same population, were searching for a method of coordinating their services and providing an environment in which these clients could make the needed changes in their lives. The Tutorial Center provides a nonthreatening and supportive learning environment for the students.
Close attention is given to the personal development of the clients.
Flyers are distributed to possible candidates and placed at strategic locations in the community. Local access television has also been used for a recruitment. The program has even been the subject of a Southern Vermont College advertising class, resulting in a promotional video describing the program, also aired on local access television. Candidates for the program are referred from local parent-child centers such as the Sunrise Center. Many students enter the program after observing the success of relatives and friends.