Defense Communities May June 20011 by Content Communicators, LLC

Defense

The Magazine of Military Housing, Lodging & Lifestyles

communities May/JUNE 2011

www.phma.com

Secrets of a culture of responsiveness page 32

Your anti-bed-bug toolkit page 36

A home for soldiers in transition page 40

Get Out

and Play

Outdoor and indoor recreation options for military families and personnel

CONTENTS ECIAL P S S EC

[ Playgrounds and Recreation ]

TION

8 8 Learning and Playing by Design

Learn how VOA Associates designed a Child Development Center with special emphasis on sustainability, playgrounds, and child activity rooms at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida. By Thomas Matzke, CSI, LEED AP

11 Relaxation Station

Service members of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State will have on-base entertainment options to rival anything available off-base when the Warrior Zone entertainment complex opens.

2 Defense Communities

12 Strong Partnerships

for Stronger Families

Fort Hood Family Housing, a partnership between the U.S. Army and developer Lend Lease, has collaborated with the Fort Hood Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program to provide inclusive outdoor play areas for residents with special needs. By Michelle Wallace

16 Gone to the Dogs

Parks for pets are one of the most popular trends in military communities. Here’s more on why and how your residents could benefit. By Nora VandenBerghe

22 22 Delivering Smiles

Naval Air Station Meridian’s new Sesame Room promotes fun, learning, and community. By Holly Costello

Defense

The Magazine of Military Housing, Lodging & Lifestyles

May | June 2011 u Volume 22, Number 3 u www.phma.com

communities A Publication of the Professional Housing Management Association

FEATURES 24 Warm Cookies and Cold Milk

A seasoned property manager goes back to the basics and offers her best advice for military housing leaders. By Vicki Sharp, NALP, CAPS, CDPM

DEPARTMENTS 4 President’s Message n PHMA President Del Eulberg shares a mentor’s nine rules for leadership success.

Chapter News n The Cabrillo chapter is planning its 2012 annual cruise.

Military Marketplace n Check out this go-to resource to find companies that provide products and services to the military housing and lodging industry.

30 GSA Recognizes

Evergreen Companies

The U.S. General Services Administration honors Play Mart Inc. with a 2010 Evergreen Award.

32 A Culture of

Responsiveness

Surveys show that responding quickly and in a method residents prefer is key to increasing their satisfaction with the property management office. By Jen Piccotti

Advertising Index

45 P HMA Corporate Sustaining Members

34 Re-establishing Home Base

When disaster strikes, military housing professionals’ continuity of operations plans must include temporary housing and furniture rental services. By Peggy Moore

36 Ban the Bed Bugs

Pest experts provide a resource guide for fighting back against and preventing bed bugs. By Jeffrey White and Calvin Allen

Built for Recovery The Warrior in Transition barracks at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, was built to help service members returning from fighting overseas ease into a new phase of military service or civilian life. By Amanda Fier

ABOUT THE COVER Fort Hood Family Housing’s Boundless Playground offers an outdoor play area for residents with special needs. For more, see page 12 of Defense Communities. Please send your articles for Defense Communities to Birgitt Seymour at phmadefensecommunities@earthlink.net. NEXT EDITORIAL DEADLINES: September/October: June 30 November/December: September 2

Publisher Editor Managing Editor Contributing Editor Editorial/Production Asst. Art Director

Debra J. Stratton Birgitt Seymour Lisa Junker Sally Zakariya Teresa Tobat Janelle Welch

Publishing Offices Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. 5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 510 Alexandria, VA 22312-2334 703/914-9200; fax 703/914-6777 defcom@strattonpublishing.com Advertising Sales Manager Alison Bashian Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. 800/335-7500; fax 440/232-0398 alisonb@strattonpublishing.com Editorial Office 544 Windspirit Circle, Prescott, AZ 86303 928/771-9826 phmadefensecommunities@ earthlink.net PHMA Office 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 703/771-1888; fax 703/771-0299 phmaoffice@earthlink.net www.phma.com Executive Director Jon R. Moore Defense Communities (ISSN #1088-9000 USPS #004-502) is published bimonthly by Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc., 5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22312-2334, for the Professional Housing Management Association, 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. PHMA members receive this publication at the annual subscription rate of $30. Nonmembers’ annual subscription rate is $100. Send sub scription requests to Defense Communities at PHMA. Periodi cals postage paid at Leesburg, VA, and additional mailing offices. Defense Communities, ©2011, Professional Housing Management Association. All rights reserved. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright; however, they may be reproduced in whole or in part with prior approval of the publisher. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom, internal, or personal use, or to request rights to republish an article, please request reprint permission from Editor, Defense Communities, phmadefensecommunities@ earthlink.net. Unless otherwise stated, articles and editorials express the views of their authors and not necessarily those of PHMA, the editors, or the publisher. Announcements and adver tisements in this publication for products and services do not imply the endorsement of PHMA or any of its members or staff. Postmaster: Send subscription/address changes to: Defense Communities, 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 or e-mail: phmaoffice@earthlink.net.

Defense Communities magazine is designed to keep those who operate and manage the whole spectrum of military housing and facilities maintenance informed on the industry’s latest technology, products, and services. It provides a forum for members to share lessons learned, news and events, and training opportunities and updates.

May | June 2011 3

chapter New s

Cabrillo Chapter Plans 12th Annual Cruise By Joe N. Fitts

ontinuing to travel the world by sea, the Cabrillo Chapter plans to trek to the Eastern Mediterranean in 2012, absent any unrest in the area. The proposed itinerary calls for a fall 2012 departure to Italy sailing from Rome eastward with port calls at Ashdod and Haifa, Israel, plus Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt. Additional stops will be in Greece and Turkey. Highlights will include visits to Jerusalem and the Pyramids. An alternate location would be Northern Europe along the North Sea and Baltic Sea during the summer, departing from the United States to the United Kingdom (London) or Copenhagen, sailing to ports of call at Stockholm, Sweden; Amsterdam, Holland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Hamburg, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; and Oslo, Norway. At this time, exact details have not yet been finalized. Potential guests (PHMA members, family members, and friends) can anticipate a cruise of nine to 12 days

at a cost of $1,000 to $2,000 per person, not including air transportation from the United States to the initial country and city of departure and return. As in the past, optional side trips to other major cities in adjacent countries will be included at an additional cost. More information will be provided in the fall of 2011. In the meantime, the chapter’s annual cruise for 2011 to the Western Caribbean (Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama) set for October 22-30 is on track and in its final stages of planning, with limited space still available. Interested persons should contact Joe Fitts at 760/8457257 or 760/435-0701 or via email at joe.fitts@ sbcglobal.net. n Joe N. Fitts is Housing Program Manager for Marine Corps Installation West at Camp Pendleton, California, Western Regional Director for PHMA, and President of the PHMA Cabrillo Chapter. Reach him at joe.fitts@sbcglobal.net.

VISIONARY SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL COMMUNITIES

MHLI Provides New Certification Opportunities this Summer Maximize your training dollars and travel resources when you take PVT 600/600A or PVT 600A/600B this Summer! Earn more CEUs and Certifications with these offerings: ■ ■ ■

CDPM™ Levels 1 & 2 — 8 days / 6.4 CEU CDPM™ Levels 2 & 3 — 8 days / 6.4 CEU CDPM™ Level 3 — 4.5 days / 3.6 CEU

Plus, our new Web site is jam-packed with many other class offerings to earn PHMA Certifications this Summer. MHLI provides all the tools you need for success!

Visit MHLI.ORG Today for New Training Opportunities! 6 Defense Communities

ECIAL P S S EC

[ Playgrounds and Recreation ]

TION

Strong Partnerships for Stronger Families Fort Hood Family Housing’s Boundless Playground provides accessible play environment for all By Michelle Wallace

“D

eep in the heart of Texas”: That wellknown phrase could describe the partnerships that have brought muchneeded resources and accessible playgrounds to thousands of Fort Hood’s military families. Fort Hood Family Housing, the partnership between the U.S. Army and developer Lend Lease, has fostered a climate of collaboration with the Fort Hood Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to bring inclusive outdoor play areas for residents with special needs. Fort Hood Family Housing’s newest outdoor play area, donated by the EFMP, is a certified Boundless Playground, offering parents and children of all ability levels the opportunity to enjoy a completely accessible play environment. Centrally located near several neighborhoods, a community center, schools, and youth centers, this welcome addition makes the third accessible playground available to the Fort Hood community. “With Fort Hood being the largest military installation and having more than 7,600 individuals enrolled in the EFMP program, having these playgrounds and a multitude of other recreational activities is a great thing,” said EFMP Manager Joan Boykin.

12 Defense Communities

An Exceptional Family Member is a service member’s immediate family member (child or adult) with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disability that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling. During a recent Boundless Playground groundbreaking event, Angelic Hatcher, a Fort Hood Family Housing resident and mother of an EFMP member, expressed her excitement for the new community feature. “I think this is awesome,” she said. “It will make a huge difference for my family.” Hatcher’s son Frankie has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. “This gives [my family] an opportunity to come out here and push him up so he can slide and play on the other equipment,” she added, “and [we] can have more fun together here on Fort Hood.”

Comprehensive fitness for soldiers Since 2008, Fort Hood Family Housing and Fort Hood’s EFMP have teamed up to provide accessible playgrounds for residents living on post. The first accessible playground is located in the Comanche III Village, one of Fort Hood Family Housing’s largest neighborhoods and home to 1,300 families. While not a Boundless-certified playground, this initial endeavor provided low-level activity

centers and slides for children who are unable to play in a traditional community playground setting. In 2009, Fort Hood Family Housing donated a Boundless Playground to the Fort Hood Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Training Facility (formerly known as the Resiliency Campus). As the first such facility on a military installation, this facility operates to ensure wellness for its soldiers, families, and retirees. The campus is dedicated to integrating body, mind, and spirit and helps users reach individualized and measurable wellness goals through education and comprehensive programs. The facility’s focus on the body includes a functional fitness center, Army One-Source Services, a wellness center, and a Warrior Adventure Quest program. The focus on the mind includes the Army Center for Enhanced Performance, which offers assistance in academic proficiency, energy management, and a mental skills foundation; and the personal finance assistance center, which offers assistance in financial planning and budgeting,

consumer affairs, and Army Emergency Relief. The focus on the spirit offers military family life counseling, which provides assistance with anxiety, aggression, loss, grief, reintegration issues, and stress reduction. A spiritual fitness center offers 24/7 counseling, battle mind classes, and a meditation area. “The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Training Facility is here to help our soldiers from a mental, physical, and spiritual standpoint,” said Fort Hood Family Housing Project Director Mack Quinney. “The Boundless Playground is a part of that process, whether it is healing or physical activity. Soldiers have all the ingredients so our wounded warriors and parents can interact with their children both mentally and physically.” In 2010, the EFMP and the Directorate of Public Works realized the need for an additional accessible playground within the Fort Hood Family Housing community. Located in the Chaffee Village community, this latest Boundless Playground was fully funded by the EFMP program and

Gardens Strengthen Community Ties By Michelle Wallace

n March 14, Fort Hood Family Housing celebrated the official opening of four community gardens with a special celebration held at the Comanche III Community Center. Located in the Comanche III, Montague, Chaffee, and Walker Villages, all the community gardens are designed for and run by residents. “Community gardens provide an opportunity to strengthen community bonds, provide food, and create recreational and therapeutic opportunities for a community,” said Michelle Wallace, Fort Hood Family Housing Communications Manager. “An added benefit is that it can also promote environmental awareness and provide community education— an initiative that Fort Hood Family Housing and Lend Lease are more than happy to embrace.” The Actus Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, served as the primary sponsor for the gardens by providing a $10,000

donation, which was used to purchase building materials for all four community gardens. “Without the support of our local community and the Actus Community Fund,” said Wallace, “this undertaking would not have been possible. This great project allows our residents to think of a healthier, alternative lifestyle as they nurture fruit and vegetables from seed to maturity.” Fort Hood Garrison Commander COL Mark Freitag attended the event, along with Fort Hood Family Housing leadership, and spoke about the long-term aspirations of the community garden project. “This community gardens project has been designed to deliver the message of sustainability and green stewardship for Fort Hood Family Housing residents,” said Matt Wilbourn, Fort Hood Family Housing Development Manager. “The Community Garden Club is encouraged to involve early teens and preteens within the com-

munities as a method of hands-on learning that teaches responsibility, ownership, and stewardship of the environment.” Fort Hood Family Housing is leading by example and has created its own community garden to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. Located in the business and maintenance management complex, the garden will serve as a tool to educate residents on how they can have a successful community garden experience and encourage staff members to become a part of the process. During the special grand opening event, several local organizations were also recognized for their contributions to the community garden project with a certificate of appreciation from Fort Hood Family Housing. Michelle Wallace is the Fort Hood Family Housing Communications Manager. Reach her at Michelle. Wallace@lendlease.com.

May | June 2011 13

Jim Harrison

Children enjoy an afternoon of fun at the newly built Boundless Playground at Fort Hood’s Chaffee Village.

was installed by Fort Hood Family Housing, which will continue to care for its long-term maintenance and upkeep.

Inclusive playgrounds for families Boundless Playgrounds is a nationally branded nonprofit developer of inclusive playgrounds where children

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT Forest City Military Communities (FCMC) is proud to own, develop, and manage an impressive portfolio of high-quality military family housing communities across the country. Currently, the firm provides top-quality place-making for Navy, Marine, and Air Force families in more than 14,600 homes located in eight states: Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. FCMC provides a responsive, collaborative approach to helping military families feel right at home. The firm prides itself on offering the full range of services needed for outstanding, long-term, privatized housing, including partnership management, development, construction management, historic preservation/rehabilitation, asset management, and ongoing, responsive community management. FCMC neighborhoods feature attractive, thoughtfully designed and equipped, well-constructed homes, as well as well-planned amenities, including community centers, playgrounds, fitness trails, picnic areas, and dog parks. For more information, please visit the Forest City website at www. forestcity.net/properties/live/military_housing or contact Thomas Henneberry, FCMC President, 202/496-6600.

14 Defense Communities

and adults of all ability levels can play and learn together in a fun and welcoming environment. The playgrounds eliminate barriers for children with all kinds of disabilities—physical, sensory, cognitive, and developmental—allowing children of all ages and abilities to gain the proven intellectual, physical, and social developmental benefits of unstructured play. At Fort Hood, the Boundless Playground gives wheelchair-bound personnel and residents a sense of normalcy, since there are no physical boundaries as they play with their children. It creates inclusive play environments where children in mobility devices can pass each other, without having to wait for a turn or a clear path. Children can play together, side by side, in a free and independent way. The playground provides positive experiences for children: Developmental experience. Through play, children develop physical, sensory, and cognitive strengths, language skills, decision-making abilities, and social interaction strategies. The type and placement of equipment allow children to engage in independent self-directed study. Experience with various activities. “Activity

NOT JUST CLEAN, COIT CLEAN

CHOOSE FROM THESE CLEANING SERVICES: • CARPET • ORIENTAL & AREA RUGS • UPHOLSTERY • AIR DUCTS • DRAPERIES & WINDOW COVERINGS • TILE & GROUT • NATURAL STONE

Call or click today...

1-800-F OR-C OI T 1 - 8 0 0 - 3 6 7 - 2 6 4 8 For special offers:

Disaster Restoration • Water, Fire/Smoke, Mold 24/7 Rapid Response

Michelle Wallace

Fort Hood Exceptional Family Member Manager Joan Boykin cuts the ceremonial ribbon as Fort Hood leadership, Fort Hood Family Housing, and exceptional families look on during the recent grand opening of Fort Hood’s newest Boundless Playground, located in Chaffee Village.

transfers” are provided to allow children using mobility devices to access play equipment, such as slides and tunnels, that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Handrails or grab bars provide additional assistance. Experience with height. With ramped wheelchair access to the highest platform center, no one has to leave behind support devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs. When children of all abilities experience height, they begin to develop a new perspective and understand their own place in the world.

A committed partnership In October 2007, the Army unveiled the Army Family Covenant, which institutionalizes the Army’s commitment to provide soldiers and their families—active, guard, and reserve—a quality of life commensurate with their level of service and sacrifice to the nation. “There is a greater emphasis on providing playgrounds and other types of recreational activities for our kids,” said EFMP’s Boykin. “I think we are on the forefront of the thinking at the Department of the Army level to ensure that our families are also a part of that Army Family Covenant connection. The majority of our families are enjoying the playgrounds because those are the things they did not have before, so every step that we make going forward, we are a little bit closer to bringing real satisfaction to our families with special needs.” “Fort Hood, in total, is a military community and Fort Hood Family Housing is a part of that community,” said Quinney. “Fort Hood and the Army are not only our clients, but also our neighbors. As good neighbors, Fort Hood Family Housing strives to do everything it can to provide a living, sustainable community environment.” This statement exemplifies the importance of part-

nering at Fort Hood and demonstrates the attitude that together, we are stronger. Since its inception, Fort Hood Family Housing has epitomized the importance of partnering. As the first installation to privatize housing under the Residential Communities Initiative, Fort Hood Family Housing has played a major role in the long-term continuation of that program, encompassing partnering in all aspects of operations. “The strength of our great partnership is communication,” said Fort Hood Housing Division Chief Michael Nix. “We have been successful in this endeavor because both the Army and Fort Hood Family Housing’s common goal is to provide the best housing for our military families. We have accomplished this by operating in unity and sharing the same vision.” This partnering philosophy has yielded great successes, among them the continued involvement of the Fort Hood Community Life Program in enforcing community standards, and the annual golf tournaments that benefit local nonprofit educational organizations. “We will continue to look for opportunities with our Army organizations, such as the EFMP and the Directorate of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation,” said Quinney. “Teaming with our Army partner and local community is a great way for us to provide livable, outdoor spaces that improve the quality of life for military members and their families.” For more information on Boundless Playgrounds, visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.com. n Michelle Wallace is the Communications Manager for Fort Hood Family Housing. Reach her at Michelle.Wallace@ lendlease.com.

May | June 2011 15

Advertising Index Company, Contact

Phone

Web Site

Page

Balfour Beatty Communities, Kathy Grim

610/355-8206

www.bbcgrp.com

BedBug Central, Robert DiJoseph

877/411-1142

www.BedBugCentral.com

Belfor Property Restoration, Gina Dolezal

214/683-4242

www.belforusa.com

Coit Worldwide, Shawn Aghababian

800/367-2648

www.coit.com

GSA www.gsa.gov

HD Supply Facilities Maintenance

877/610-6912

www.hdsupplysolutions.com

Ista-North American, Bill Kirk

352/895-8839

www.eso-global.com

Kaba Multihousing & Institutional, LaShawnda Robinson

248/837-3700

www.kabamultihousing.com

Microfridge Inc., Benjamin Otte

508/660-9200

www.microfridge.com

MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Dave Gran

540/446-4676

www.MilitaryByOwner.com

Picerne Military Housing, Bill Mulvey

401/228-2800

www.picernemilitaryhousing.com

R.J. Thomas Manufacturing Co., Inc., Bob Simonsen

800/762-5002

www.pilotrock.com

Salsbury Industries, Ricardo Alva

323/846-6700

www.mailboxes.com

University Loft Company, James Jannetides

317/631-5433

www.universityloft.com

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Customer Service

800/644-8083

www.wellsfargo.com

Yardi, Spencer Stewart

800/866-1144

www.yardi.com

Zeager Bros., Inc., Bob Zeager

800/396-8524