After debate, the then Vermont Attorney General, who was also the administrator of the Colonel's will, prevailed with his suggestion to open a school for blind and deaf students.
Support was gained from the Vermont General Assembly to purchase a 200-acre (0.81 km2) farm and in the fall of 1912 the Austine School opened with sixteen students.
In 1970, the construction of Vermont Hall upgraded the dormitories for the younger children, added administrative offices, a modern kitchen, dining room and health facility.
Additional programs the Austine School had founded over the years to meet the needs of the deaf community beyond the classroom were now grouped under the umbrella of the Vermont Center.
With mainstreaming underway, Austine School saw a marked increase in the percentage of its students who face multiple physical and educational challenges.
VCDHH Consultant Program was statewide and provided an array of special services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from birth to twenty-one years regardless of their educational placement.
Consultants provided children and their families unbiased information regarding language choice, communication methods and educational opportunities throughout the child's developmental years.
The Center's goal was to provide quality, affordable audiological services to the general community in southeastern Vermont and to students at the Austine School for the Deaf.
Mental Health Services were provided statewide by masters and doctoral level clinical staff who are fluent in ASL and had expertise in working with persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
DVAS also provides training on working with Deaf consumers to involved agencies, including police departments, court personnel and shelter staff.
It provided an opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their siblings to experience the pleasure of summer camp.
[2] The State of Vermont hired a new company, Nine East Network, to provide services for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.