Victory Hill Residential Program
The Victory Hill Residential Program (VHRP) provides a safe, comfortable and nurturing residential environment for students, aged 5 to 19, who must live away from home in order to attend the British Columbia Provincial School for the Deaf in Burnaby. The residents return to their family and home community each weekend and school holiday.
The VHRP is a cluster of 6 homes designed in consultation with deaf people. This consultation process has created a comfortable and accessible living environment for deaf children and youth. There is room for up to 30 residents on the Victory Hill property. American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language of communication. The residence is staffed by qualified child care counsellors who are fluent in ASL.
Built-in flashing lights for telephones, doorbells, fire alarms and security alarms have been installed for safety and convenience. Open spaces and natural light add to the comfort of communicating in ASL. Individual bedrooms, knock-knock light switches and 3 bathrooms per house contribute to increased privacy. A family-like setting in the living room, kitchen and dining room lends itself to enhanced living experiences for children and youth.
- Caring for Your Child
- Elementary Program
- Secondary Program
- Parents
- Staff
- Eligibility
- Admission
- Brochures and Handbooks
Caring for Your Child
In developing a care plan for your child we see ourselves as part of the team: the child, the parents, school staff, other professionals and Victory Hill staff. We endeavour to provide a setting where children learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
We begin each year reviewing the information we have about your child that comes from the child, parents, and other sources. We work alongside the parents and child to set goals for positive developmental experiences.
These goals include:
- life skills
- relationship skills
- problem solving skills
- learning to access community resources
- preparation for post-secondary schooling
- development of individual interests and talents
- support for their education
Elementary Program
The elementary program serves children who attend the British Columbia School for the Deaf at South Slope Elementary School. The emphasis of the elementary program is support for successful development of skills in language, problem solving, conflict-resolution, relationship building, and exploration of individual interests and talents.
Secondary Program
The secondary program serves youth who attend the British Columbia School for the Deaf at Burnaby South Secondary School. The secondary program has two groups: the intermediate and the Independent Living Program (ILP). These programs focus on developing skills to access community resources. The secondary program also continues to focus on the goals of relationship and language development. The intermediate program focuses on the transition to high school and helps residents with the developmental challenges facing adolescents. The emphasis of the ILP is to prepare students for post-secondary schooling and developing life skills.
Parents
We strongly believe in the importance of our partnership with parents in the care of their children. Staff are in contact with parents on a weekly basis to discuss their child's experience during the week. We work together with parents to identify developmental goals and share the joy of each child's successes.
Staff
The residential program is staffed 24 hours a day from Sunday afternoon to Friday evening. Children return home to their families each weekend. Each child is given a key worker, who manages the program developed through the individual care plan process and provides liaison for the school, professionals and parents.
Victory Hill staff are hired based on their child care knowledge, skills and abilities as well as their fluency in sign language. There is an extensive screening process to ensure qualified staff are working with children and youth at Victory Hill. Staff participate in ongoing training (minimum 5 times a year) to improve their skills and abilities so they can provide the best level of care for the children living in residence.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must live outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District and/or their family home must be more than one hour commuting distance (one-way) from Victory Hill. Students must also be accepted into a Ministry of Education Provincial Resource Program.
Admission
Once the student has met Ministry of Education eligibility requirements for the Provincial Resource Program, the parents/guardians can apply for residence at Victory Hill. Parents considering the school are required to visit the Victory Hill Residences with their child. After the visit, the parents and Victory Hill coordinator mutually determine the suitability of the program for their child.
Contact Patrick Tarchuk, Coordinator for more information.
Brochures
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