Welcome home foundation inc, school

The Welcome Home Foundation Incorporated School (formerly ERC) is fully funded and operated by Welcome Home. Its primary mission is to provide individualized education for preschool deaf children, their hearing siblings, and others with multiple disabilities.

Parents are supported through ongoing sign language classes and seminars focused on fostering healthy family relationships.

More than half of the enrolled families receive scholarship grants, which cover tuition, board, clothing, and other essential expenses.

Programs

Speech and hearing services are part of the support plans available to all school students. Specially trained teachers use audiology devices and computer software with the Level I-A, I-B, and II, with the intent of increasing vocal strength and precision. Hearing tests and hearing aid fittings are provided on a case-by-case basis, and at no cost to the beneficiary.

Physical education provides an outlet for the children to exercise and play together, in a safe and supportive environment.  Holistic wellness is the core of WHFI’s educational model, and the foundation is cemented in healthy living.

Technology classes are vital to the pupils, as they learn the fundamentals of typing, and are exposed to written language and multimedia.  By demonstrating that technology is a tool for self-learning and creation, Welcome Home is training children to become computer-literate and strong readers, which allows them to be strong candidates for employment later in life.

EVENTS

In addition to the progressive curriculum (ranging from the sciences to the arts), school students are exposed to the greater world through a series of field trips and speaking engagements.  The staff and students were honored to have a private audience with Cardinal Luis Tagle at the Carmelite Monastery, Bacolod, where he spoke of service to all of mankind, especially those who endure greater hardships in life.

A living rosary is held each year to instill the Catholic values that guide WHFI and introduce the youth to a prayerful way of life. Moreover, this is a gathering where families and staff together can celebrate the successes and count the blessings of the previous year.

The students performed an interpretation of the Philippines National Anthem during the 36th annual National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

Advocacy

- Working with Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID)- Bacolod Chapter subprograms.

- Networking with Visayas Ear Care Center.

- Partnering with secondary and tertiary educational institutions in the training of special educators for the Deaf.

Staff Development

The curriculum for the Deaf is continuously developed through ongoing evaluations of instructional strengths and weaknesses. Administrators, teachers, and community workers collaborate during formal summer meetings to revise and improve the program.

Staff development also emphasizes both formal and informal sign language training, aligning with the national transition to Filipino Sign Language and recognizing the evolving nature of sign languages.