Army Family Action Plan
The Army Family Action Plan is a grassroots-level process that gives those who work, live on, or use the installation an opportunity to influence their quality of life. Representatives from throughout the local community convene annually to identify, develop, and prioritize local, global military and installation-level quality of life issues. Issues considered during the AFAP conference are accepted at any time throughout the year.

Army Family Team Building
The Army Family Team Building program provides classes to educate and train Soldiers and their family members in a wide variety of knowledge, skills, and behaviors to create more self-reliant and better-prepared individuals.

Army Family Team Building is about adapting to military life as a single Soldier, military spouse, unit commander, retiree, or member of the Department of Defense. AFTB offers three types of courses:

• Level I – Introduction: Targeted toward those new to the Army or interested in updating personal skills or basic knowledge.
• Level II – Intermediate: Targeted toward emerging leaders within the Army community.
• Level III – Advanced: Enhances the professional growth and leadership development opportunities of family members, especially those who might assume advisory and mentoring leadership roles within the community and unit.

Family Advocacy Program
The Family Advocacy Program provides education and advocacy services designed to enhance family relationships and prevent incidents of child and spouse abuse. The program offers a variety of parenting support programs ranging from educational workshops to a playgroup for young children. FAP programs and classes include topics such as communication, managing conflict, stress management, the dynamics of family violence, and parenting. Short term childcare is available to eligible families who participate in mandated treatment programs.

Fleet & Family Support Services
(301) 677-3617 fax (301) 677-2910
Fleet & Family Support Services is co-located with Army Community Service. In partnership with ACS, F&FSS responds to the unique demands and needs that affect the military service members, civilians, retirees, and families living in the Military District of Washington area. F&FSS offers a team of professionals that offers classes and workshops, information and referral, and one-on-one advisement.

Airman & Family Readiness Liaison
The Airman and Family Readiness Liaison is collocated with Army Community Service and provides a bridge for Air Force service members and their families to access programs and services that strengthen communities, increase mission readiness, promote self-sufficiency, and adapt to the Air Force way of life.

It is also a one-stop point of contact for family services offered through all of the support agencies at Fort Meade and the National Capital Region. Air Force specific programs such as Heart Link, which is an Air Force orientation for spouses married to an Air Force member for five years or less, is offered on a quarterly basis.

Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program is a mandatory Department of the Army enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, educational, medical, and personnel services to military families with special needs.

Soldiers on active duty enroll in the program when a family member has a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual condition which requires specialized services. The Army defines an EFM as any family member, regardless of age, who has a disability which limits that individual’s ability to function on a daily basis and requires ongoing counseling, training, education, therapy or treatment. The family member’s needs are then taken into consideration in the military personnel assignment process.† Soldiers are responsible for keeping their EFMP enrollment current as the exceptional family member’s condition changes or every three years, whichever comes first. EFMP also assists eligible family members of retired Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.

Hearts Apart Deployment Support Group
(301) 677-5590
The Hearts Apart Deployment Support Group provides support to families who have loved ones serving away from home. The group meets monthly and has members from all military branches as well as Department of Defense civilians. The group also runs a ‘‘Hand in Hand” program which is a deployment support group that travels to area schools to offer support to children whose parents are deployed. Community members are invited to come connect with other families while learning important information about managing separation.

Soldier & Family Assistance Center
The SFAC provides one-on-one assistance to Warriors in Transition and their families; coordinating military, local, state and federal services to meet individual and family needs.

The Air Force Liaison
4217 Roberts Avenue
(301) 677-3617
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Air Force Liaison for Family Support provides Air Force active duty and family members with assistance during Permanent Change of Station, deployments and Temporary Duty and also provides financial classes and budget counseling. It is also a one-stop point of contact for family services offered through all support agencies at Fort Meade and the National Capital Region.

Work⁄Life Services
9800 Savage Road
(301) 688-1697
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fort Meade Housing
The Fort Meade Housing Office is responsible for oversight of the privatized on-post family housing project, off-post housing referral, and on post single service member housing.

On-post family housing is provided through a Residential Communities Initiative program.

RCI Liaison Office
4463 Leonard Wood Avenue
(301) 677-7748
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
RCI is the Army’s vehicle for improving the quality of life for military members and their families by working with their development partners to create quality, safe, attractive, and affordable housing and communities.

Each RCI installation partners with a private sector developer. Fort Meade and Picerne Military Housing are the partners of Meade Communities, LLC. The RCI Liaison Team represents both the Army and the residents in privatized military family housing. The responsibilities of the RCI Liaison Office are to be a link between Picerne Military Housing and the Army, aid in the transition of privatized military family housing into the Army culture and act as an ombudsman for military service members and their families for unresolved concerns. The office also handles authorization of non-temporary storage, local moves, retirement or separation moves and provides off-post housing referrals.

Off-Post Housing⁄Housing Services Office
4463 Leonard Wood Avenue
(301) 677-7748
Hours: Monday to Friday,7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Personnel looking for housing in the local area are encouraged –but not required – to visit the HSO⁄Off-post housing office.HSO will assist personnel to locate local area housing and provide guidance with leasing, buying or selling of homes. The HSO office has listings of apartments and private homes for rent as well as for sale. Information about temporary lodging, installation maps and other housing literature are also available at the office.

Bachelor Housing Office
6405 Simmonds Road
(301) 677-4783⁄4763⁄ 2174 or (301) 677-5660 or (410) 672-1929
Hours: Monday to Friday,7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Meade does not presently offer Army-provided permanent party unaccompanied officer or unaccompanied senior NCO housing. Unaccompanied officers and senior NCOs (E-6 thru E-9) may be able to rent on-post family homes from Picerne Military Housing by contacting the Picerne Military Housing Central Leasing Office. They may also contact the off-post housing referral office.

Fort Meade does provide more than 1,500 single-Soldier living spaces for service members in the grades of E-1 thru E-5 in two sets of buildings.

Service members assigned to one of the Service Cryptologic Element units (70th Intelligence Wing, USAF, NIOC-USN, USMC Detachment, and the 704th MI Brigade are normally housed in unit-sponsored barracks within the National Security Agency compound that meet the Army 1 plus 1 standard. Service members assigned to other units (regardless of service) on Fort Meade are housed in the Freedom Center Barracks, which were recently-built to the 1-plus-1 standard.

NCOs in the grade of E-5 are assigned private suites with private baths. Service members in the ranks of E-1 to E-4 are assigned a private room with a shared bath and kitchenette. Housing for personnel other than a permanent party in permanent party barracks is at the discretion of the installation commander. Medical hold personnel and Soldiers in a temporary change of station mobilized status will be assigned quarters comparable to their grade when available.

If appropriate barracks space is not available, certificates of non-availability will be issued by the Housing Office based on a request from the appropriate unit commander so that affected service members may draw their Basic Housing Allowance and rent a home off post.

What is Privatization?
Privatization uses the authorities contained in the Defense Authorization Act (known as the Military Housing Privatization Initiative), which was signed into law in 1996. Through this legislation, the Army created a program called the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) to improve on-post family housing.

Picerne Military Housing
Fort Meade has created a long-term partnership with Picerne Military Housing to finance, design, construct, manage and maintain its family housing inventory over a 50-year period.

Family Housing
By relocating to Fort Meade, residents have the unique opportunity to reside in one of the country’s first privatized military housing programs. In 2002, all family housing at Fort Meade became privatized under the Army’s RCI program. This program permits military families to experience the same quality homes, amenities and services offered by most civilian housing communities without incurring the additional cost of living off post.

Quality living begins long before the families move in, as each home is inspected from top to bottom. Each home receives a comprehensive turnover and repair each time it becomes vacant.

Homes are cleaned and painted, maintenance is completed and upgrades are installed. Upgrades vary by housing area and may include items such as new mini-blinds, plumbing and lighting fixtures, counters, vinyl flooring and in some cases, carpeting and new appliances.

Major upgrades and extensive renovations have been completed in more than 1,037 homes. As of December 2007, there are more than 593 newly-constructed homes. Regardless of the age of the home, residents can be assured that it has received the utmost care and service.

Personalized service for family housing residents starts at the Leasing and Relocation Center.

Leasing and Relocation Center
2965 2nd Army Drive
(410) 305-1258 or (866) 525-home
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
Picerne Military Housing recognizes the importance of keeping traditional military customs with housing assignments. Its neighborhoods keep the traditionalrank – band integrity residents may have become accustomed to with previous on-post housing experiences. Although many traditional military customs are followed, Picerne has made changes to the housing assignments to make living on post more desirable. Its housing assignments for home sizes are based on family size, and allow one child per bedroom, regardless of age or gender.

Leasing your home is simple.
Relocation specialists are available to help make your move on post as seamless as possible. Active-duty military families simply fill out an application and provide a current copy of their orders and their supporting family documentation. A Picerne relocation specialist will then assist the family with the selection of homes and availability for the service member’s rank band and time frame.

Did you know military retireesand federal employees can liveon post, too?
If homes remain available after all active-duty military and their families are housed, excess homes are then made available to military retirees and federal employees. Leasing is simple. Just contact the Leasing and Relocation Center to inquire about how to lease a home.

Neighborhood Centers
Potomac Place and Meuse Forest Neighborhood Centers
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays1 to 5 p.m.
Historically, living on post has offered many small-town conveniences to residents such as the post exchange, commissary, post office and shoppette. With privatization, Picerne has made it even more desirable to live on post with the addition of new neighborhood centers that offer great amenities previously only found in newer, off-post communities. Picerne’s existing and planned neighborhood centers include grand-scale clubhouses that allow residents the opportunity to utilize amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, kitchens, sport courts, media rooms, business centers and more. Each neighborhood center is similar in structure and amenities but has unique features.

Some of the unique features at the Potomac Place Neighborhood Center include the children’s library, an AAFES laundromat, billiards game room and communications kiosk. The children’s library is a branch of the Medal of Honor Post Library and is staffed by their librarians throughout the week. The communications kiosk is a very special amenity that allows residents to send loved ones and deployed family members or friends a special message in the form of an E-mail, voicemail or video message.

The Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center’s swimming pool accommodates fun in the sun for more residents and is also home to an AAFES laundromat as well as a stadium-seated entertainment room where families can enjoy movies together.

New Homes
New homes throughout the installation offer larger rooms, at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms, walk in closets, and, in some floor plans, an oversized garage to accommodate large vehicles and additional storage needs. They are energy-efficient and computer-ready and include many exciting new features such as modern cabinets, kitchen islands, specialty flooring and upgraded appliances. These homes have been designed with family needs in mind, and have open floor plans wonderfully suited for family life.

Neighborhood offices
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today, five neighborhood offices serve six neighborhoods.Each office provides full-service property management. The knowledgeable, dedicated neighborhood teams are available five days a week to assist with matters such as assignment and termination, placing of work orders, and resolving neighbor relations problems. Picerne maintenance services include interior repairs and landscaping for each home. Residents no longer have to cut their grass or rake leaves. Picerne’s surface-clean move-out policy has saved thousands of dollars for military families, as a cleaning team is no longer necessary to move out and clear.

Family Support Services is an integral component of Picerne Military Housing. Members of Picerne’s Family Support Services team work hand-in-hand with installation programs such as the Exceptional Family Member Program, and Family Child Care to facilitate specialized services.

Neighborhoods
On Fort Meade, residents will find beautiful existing, renovated and new homes. Picerne has six neighborhoods that are each named with a historic theme based on a landmark military event.

• Potomac Place
4998 Second Corps Boulevard
(410) 672-2981
Picerne opened the first new neighborhood on Fort Meade in the summer of 2003. Named for the Army of the Potomac, which was commanded by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, Potomac Place includes sub-neighborhoods of junior NCO, senior NCO, company-grade and field-grade homes that have been designed with input from Fort Meade families. Potomac Place is home to the Army’s first neighborhood center featuring benefits and amenities that every resident can use.

Since Potomac Place was Fort Meade’s first new neighborhood, it showcases each style of home being built and features a sample of an architectural scheme that will be used to make each neighborhood feel like home. The five architectural styles being used include craftsman, colonial, urban, eclectic and seaside. Each style creates an atmosphere of homes found in various parts of Maryland.

• Meuse Forest
8700 91st Division Boulevard
(410) 672-2475
Meuse Forest, the second neighborhood under development, is named for one of the most remarkable campaigns in the history of World War I – the Meuse-Argonne campaign. In Meuse Forest, residents will find existing, new and renovated sub-neighborhoods of junior NCO, senior NCO, company-grade and field-grade homes. In January 2005, Picerne opened its second neighborhood center, which offers the same great features as the Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The style of homes being built in this neighborhood is craftsman, identifiable by a rustic look and interior features that include rich dark wood tones, wrought iron fixtures and subdued colors for countertops and appliances.

• Midway Common
7312H Ames Court
(410) 672-2301
Midway Common is named for the Battle of Midway, fought over and near the U.S. mid-Pacific base at Midway Atoll during World War II. The choice of a naval battle for naming a neighborhood at an Army installation was made in recognition of the fact that today’s families at Fort Meade include members of every military service. Located closest to the National Security Agency, Midway Common is the largest neighborhood with more than 800 homes. Midway Common serves all rank bands and is home to single family one-level ranchers with basements, duplexes and townhomes. The style of this neighborhood is urban, reminiscent of a traditional family-oriented community designed to enhance pedestrian circulation where one can get to know his neighbor.

• Patriot Ridge
3533A McWhorter Court
(410) 672-2183
Patriot Ridge is home to Fort Meade’s newer senior NCO town homes, which were built under a military construction contract in the mid-1990s before privatization began on Fort Meade. Patriot Ridge received its name to pay homage to the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. Appropriately, the home styles in Patriot Ridge is Colonial. The architectural styles developed by our forefathers are still popular and beautifully suited to the Revolutionary War theme.

• Normandy Bluffs
4242 Doyle Court
(410) 672-2000
Normandy Bluffs is also home to Fort Meade’s newer junior NCO town homes built under MILCON. Representing the European Theater of World War II, Normandy Bluffs is named for one of the best-known and most important battles of WWII. Normandy Bluffs is located directly across from the Reece Road Gate on Md. Rte. 175.

• Heritage Park
4242 Doyle Court
(410) 672-2000
Heritage Park is dedicated to the history of Fort George G. Meade. Residents live in uniquely beautiful historic homes and cottages. Some of these homes were originally built in the early 1930s and are filled with character and distinctly beautiful architecture from the various artisans who helped construct them. Picerne works very closely with the Maryland State Historical Preservation Office to maintain the integrity of the historical homes while renovating the interiors to provide residents with the updated necessities and touches of home that they will find in newer housing. These charming homes and cottages are some of the most popular on post and serve our junior NCOs, company-grade officers, senior-grade officers and general and flag officer residents.

New construction is currently underway in the Heritage Park neighborhood. By the end of 2008, 134 newly-constructed junior NCO town homes will be completed. In addition, Picerne’s third Neighborhood Center will open in Heritage Park in the spring of 2008.

Service Requests
Family housing residents should place service requests with their respective neighborhood office by phone, fax, E-mail or a personal visit. Service requests are placed into one of three categories: emergency, urgent and routine. A work order number is issued at the time of the request for tracking. Residents should clearly state the nature of the problem when submitting a service request to ensure a proper response. Calls for emergency work orders occurring after duty hours, on weekends or holidays will be re-routed from the neighborhood office to an answering service that will direct the call to the appropriate response service.

Resident Events
Throughout the year, residents are invited to enjoy Picerne’s unique, community-building resident events. Picerne employees look forward to spending time with you and your families at events such as the annual Resident Summer Barbecue, Resident Appreciation Month, National Night Out, Back-to-School Ice Cream Social, December in the City and more. Each event is dedicated to celebrating and giving back to residents.

We hope you will choose a home on post provided by Picerne Military Housing during your tour at Fort Meade. Welcome Home!

EDUCATION

Army Education Services
8601 Zimborski Avenue
(301) 677-6421
The Army Education Services Division provides adult continuing education programs and services for active duty and reserve service members assigned to or living near the Fort Meade community.

Adult family members, retirees, and other government civilians are eligible to participate on a space-available basis. Services include educational counseling and academic advising, Army Tuition Assistance to eligible personnel, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services testing program, Army Personnel Tests program, and the Multi-Use Learning Facility.

Three college institutions – with branch offices located in the Army Education Services Division – offer post-secondary programs on Fort Meade:

• Anne Arundel Community College offers certificate and associate degree programs. Classes are held at Meade High School. For more information, call (410) 672-2117.
• University of Maryland, University College offers upper-level undergraduate courses. Classes are held at Meade High School. For more information, call (301) 621-9882.
• Central Michigan University offers graduate studies on Fort Meade. For more information, call (301) 621-9796.

Youth Education and Support Services
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1227
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

School Liaison Office
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1227
Hours: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Youth Education and Support Services and the School Liaison Office work in conjunction with Child and Youth Services and the local school community to address educational issues involving military children.

Through partnering with the local and military communities, the School Liaison Officer has a wide variety of resources to provide assistance with issues concerning student transition and educational needs. The SLO acts as a link between the installation and the surrounding school districts. The SLO also advocates for military families in a variety of areas within the school system to include home school and special needs children.

Public Schools
Seven county public schools are located on Fort Meade. They are governed by the Anne Arundel County School administration and are not Department of Defense Dependent System schools.

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten registration:

Children who live in Maryland and will be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008, are required to attend kindergarten and must register at their assigned school.

The pre-kindergarten program in Anne Arundel County public elementary schools selects four-year-olds based on economic and education need. If applying due to economic need, proof of family income will be required.

When registering a child for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, parents must bring the following: child’s original birth certificate or birth record, copy of child’s immunization record, two proofs of residency (rental agreement, current phone bill, etc.) and school records (hand-carried records are accepted). A Social Security card is requested but not required.

If applying for pre-kindergarten due to economic need, verification of total combined household income (W-2 and 1040 statements with one current pay stub) is required. If these documents are not available, bring three current paycheck stubs for each person employed as well as documentation relating to any additional source of income (including child support, Temporary Cash Assistance and rental income). For more information, contact the School Liaison Officer at (301) 677-1227.

On-Post Schools
• Manor View Elementary School
Kindergarten through 5th grade
2900 MacArthur Road
Phone: (410) 222-6504 Fax: (410) 222-6513
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄manorves⁄index.htm
Anita Dempsey, Principal
• Meade Heights Elementary School
1925 Reece Road
Kindergarten through 5th grade
Phone: (410) 222-6510 Fax: (410) 519-1277
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄mhes⁄index.htm
Barbara Church, Principal
• Pershing Hill Elementary School
Kindergarten through 5th grade
7600 29th Division Road
Phone: (410) 222-6519 Fax: (410) 222-6527
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄PERHILES⁄perhiles.htm
Donna Pergerson, Principal
• West Meade Elementary School
Kindergarten through 5th grade
7700 Ray St.Phone:
(410) 222-6545
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄WESTMES⁄title_page.htm
Carole Janesko, Principal
• MacArthur Middle School
6th, 7th and 8th grades
3500 Rockenbach Road
Phone: (410) 674-0032 Fax: (410) 674-8021
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄mams⁄home%20page.htm
Reginald Farrare, Principal
• Meade Middle School
6th, 7th and 8th grades
1103 26th Street
Phone: (410) 674-2355 Fax: (410) 674-6590
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄meadems⁄MMShomepage.index.htm
Eddie Scott, Principal
• Meade Senior High School
9th through 12th grade
1100 Clark Road
Phone: (410) 674-6590 Fax: (410) 674-8750
www.aaacps⁄meadesenior.org⁄
Darryl Kennedy, Principal
Off-Post Feeder Schools
• Brock Bridge Elementary School
405 Brock Bridge Road, Laurel, MD 20724
Phone: (301) 498-6280; Fax: (301) 776-0128
www.aacps.org⁄brockbridge
Joan Briscoe, Principal
• Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School
7660 Ridge Chapel Rd., Hanover, MD 21076
Phone (410) 222-6930; Fax: (410) 222-6932
www.aacps.org⁄frankhebronharman⁄index.htm
Susan Bachmann, Principal
• Jessup Elementary School
2900 Elementary School Lane, Jessup, MD 20794
Phone: (410) 222-6490;Fax: (410) 222-6492
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄jessupes⁄index.htm
Ava Tasker, Principal
• Maryland City Elementary
3359 Crumpton South, Laurel, MD 20724
Phone: (301) 725-4256
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄MD CITYES⁄MDCEindex.htm
Deneen J. Houghton, Principal
• Seven Oaks Elementary
Town Center Blvd., Odenton, MD 21113
Phone: (410) 222-0937
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄sevenoaks
Lisa Leitholf, Principal
• Van Bokkelen Elementary
1140 Reece Rd.Severn, MD 21144
Phone: (410) 222-6535 Fax: (410) 222-6549
www.aacps.org⁄aacps⁄Vanbokes⁄VBESHome.htm
Andrea Rose, Principal

School Buses
Passing or overtaking a school bus when it is stopped or reducing speed for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers is prohibited. Vehicles must stop a full 10 feet to the front or rear of the school bus and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the flashing red lights are turned off.

Child and Youth Services
Main Administrative Office
4215 Roberts Avenue
(301) 677-4808 Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Child and Youth Services provides program options for eligible children and youth ages four weeks to 18 years of age. Its mission is to enhance Soldier readiness and well-being by reducing the conflict between parental responsibilities and Soldier mission requirements.

Central Registration
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1149⁄1156
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Child and Youth Services Program is comprised of center-based and quarters-based child and youth development programs, sports and fitness programs, instructional class programs, education support services, and outreach services. Active duty military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, Reservists and National Guard Soldiers on active duty status, and Fort Meade DoD contractors are eligible for child and youth services. Parents or guardians are requested to bring proper identification, child’s birth certificate, social security number and an up-to-date shot record at the time of registration. Contact or visit Central Registration to register for all CYS programs.

Outreach Services are offered at Central Registration for all CYS programs, including on-site childcare for meetings and functions, teenage babysitter lists, parenting programs, and information about off-post child care.

Child Development Centers

CDC I
4725 Ruffner Road, (301) 677-3407
• Full day care: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Hourly care: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Reservations required)

CDC II
3100 MacArthur Road, (301) 677-6002
• Full day care: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

CDC III
910 Ernie Pyle Street, (301) 677-1530
• Full day care: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Part-day preschool: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon (AM session); Monday to Friday,1 to 4 p.m. (PM session)

The three center-based programs provide child care services for children aged six weeks through kindergarten. All of the CDCs at Fort Meade make every effort to maintain National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards at all times. The NAEYC accreditation process is a rigorous voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate that they meet national standards of excellence. Programs seeking accreditation undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, and administrators and conducting classroom observations. They receive onsite visits conducted by early childhood professionals to validate the self-study results. A team of national experts who grant or defer accreditation independently reviews all information.

The best way to describe the curriculum is that it follows Developmentally Appropriate Practices: a child-centered, child initiated, teacher supported program. Staff members follow a primary care giving philosophy in which a child is assigned to one staff member who observes and documents the child’s interests, strengths and weaknesses and builds the curriculum around these observations. The goal is to develop an individualized program that will support school-ready children by enriching their play into learning experiences. The CDC strives to expose the children to the ‘‘Six Pillars of Character,” (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship) as well as promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and creative side of each child. CDC staff seeks to integrate these traits into everyday interactions with you and your child.

Family Child Care Office
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1160
Hours: Monday to Friday,7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Family Child Care program is a child care option offered to eligible families through CYS. FCC care is provided by military family members working as independent contractors in individual housing units located on the installation. All FCC providers have their programs marketed in the FCC-online system at the Central Registration office.

Homes provide flexible hours, a comfortable family-like setting and activities based on real life experiences in the home and neighborhood. In FCC, siblings can stay together, younger and older children learn from each other in a small group setting, and school-age children can remain in a neighborhood setting. Most homes offer full-day, part-day and hourly care. Special services may include 24-hour and long-term care during mobilization and training exercises, evening and weekend care, and care for special needs children. The flexibility of FCC providers is an asset in meeting the diverse work hours of military families.

Parents of children enrolled in an FCC home can expect to receive the same quality of care as in a CDC or School-Age Program. FCC providers receive the same training and support as CYS facility-based staff. Each group of 25 to 40 providers is designated an FCC Network with its own director and trainer and managed like a ‘child care center without walls.’ The capacity of the FCC home is determined by the size of the home and the ages of the children enrolled in the home. Generally, the capacity in an FCC home at any one time is six children including the provider’s own children who may be enrolled in the program. Homes serving infants and toddlers exclusively (children aged four weeks to two years) can serve a maximum of three children. Homes serving school-age children exclusively (children aged five to 12 years) can serve a maximum of eight children.

School-Age Services
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1245
Services Grades: 1st to 5th
Hours of Operation:
• School year, Office: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• School year, program: Monday to Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• School year, full days and school holidays: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Summer break: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The School-Age Services program supports working families who are in need of school-age care for the elementary school-age child (first through fifth-grades). The SAS program is offered before and after school, on school closure days and during the summer holiday as a Summer Day Camp consisting of a full-day program held throughout the summer in 10 one-week sessions. Programs are tailored to the appropriate age group and include field trips, swimming, crafts and entertainment. The SAS program is nationally accredited by the National After School Association, and is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4-H, which is an enhancement to baseline programs.

The SAS program offers a wide range of activities to include the four baseline programs: life skills, citizenship (cooking programs, home alone skills); arts, recreation and leisure programs to enhance and acquire social skills, develop creativity, build cultural awareness; sports and nutrition fun; and educational opportunities with a complete computer lab and homework help.

Middle School Before & After⁄Summer Program & Youth Center
909 Ernie Pyle Street, (301) 677-1437
Services Grades: 6th to 8th
Hours:
• School year, office: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• School year, program:Monday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 2:30to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.to 6 p.m.
• School year full days and school holidays: 6 a.m. to5:30 p.m.
• Summer holiday: Monday,6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Middle School Program was established for youth of middle school age (sixth through eighth grades) to offer positive alternatives that will help minimize at-risk behaviors during parental duty hours. The middle school participants design the middle school program with the staff to assure programs are established with the interests of middle school youth. The program is held before and after school, on school closure days and as a Summer Day Camp (a full-day program held throughout the summer in 10 one-week sessions). Programs are tailored to the appropriate age group and include field trips, swimming, crafts and entertainment.

The program is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4-H. Activities include BGCA and 4-H resources and programs in the four baseline programming areas to include: life skills, citizenship and leadership opportunities (youth councils, community service, computer lab, homework lab, workforce preparation); arts, recreation and leisure programs to enhance and acquire social skills, develop creativity, build cultural awareness (fine arts club, photography clubs, social events, dances, holiday events); sports, fitness and health program area offers youth opportunities to participate in sports programs; and mentoring, intervention and education support-services programs.

Teen Center
3102 Clark and MacArthur Streets
(301) 677-6054
Services Grades: 9th to 12th
Hours:
• Monday to Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. Note: Friday hours may vary depending on scheduled activities
• School holidays and summer: Noon to 8 p.m.
The Teen Program is conveniently located directly across from Meade High School. It is designed to meet the ever-growing needs and development of the Fort Meade teen population. The youth development program offers driver education classes, which meet Maryland license requirements. The program is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4-H. Activities include BGCA and 4-H resources and programs in the four baseline programming areas to include: life skills, citizenship and leadership opportunities (youth councils, community service, computer lab, homework lab, workforce preparation); arts, recreation and leisure programs to enhance and acquire social skills, develop creativity, build cultural awareness (fine arts club, photography clubs, social events, dances, holiday events); sports, fitness and health program area offers youth opportunities to participate in sports programs, and mentoring, intervention and education support services programs. It also offers a very active Boys and Girls Club Keystone council which plans and organizes teen programs such as field trips, dances, community services projects and youth sponsorship. The teen center also has state-of-the-art computers and technology opportunities.

School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Office
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1196
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note: Hours may vary depending on functions.
The name SKIES Unlimited combines the acronym for ‘‘Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills” with the word Unlimited for the unlimited learning possibilities that this exciting new initiative offers Army children and youth.

SKIES Unlimited provides the framework for all instructional programming in the CYS System worldwide. It encompasses instructional programs for children and youth from infancy to adolescence (four weeks through the end of the senior year in high school). Through SKIES Unlimited, children and youth in CDC, SAS, MS&T programs have equal access to opportunities that expand their knowledge, inspire them, allow them to explore, and acquire new skills.

Young people spend as much as 80 percent of their waking time outside the classroom. When involved in instructional programs during the critical hours of 3 to 8 p.m., studies show that they are less likely to engage in undesirable behavior. Children and youth participate in instructional programs for a variety of reasons: to explore new skills, to pursue and nurture personal interests, to interact socially with other, to build a resume, to bolster a college application, or to foster a close relationship with caring, knowledgeable adults outside of the home.

Instructional programs foster the development of critical life, leadership, and social skills. The latest educational research confirms that student’s involvement in after-school instructional programs is beneficial on all levels. Instructional programs have been shown to promote the intellectual development of children and youth.

Youth Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Office
1900 Reece Road
(301) 677-1179
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: hours may vary depending on programs.
The Youth Sports and Fitness Program offers a variety of individual and team sports including T-ball, baseball, softball, track, clinic soccer, soccer, tackle football, cheerleading, basketball, swim team, outdoor adventure, sports tournaments and sports skills clinics.

The Fort Meade Youth Sports program is one of the largest in the Army. The program emphasizes fun, fitness and learning skills. Volunteer coaches must attend and be certified through the National Alliance of Youth Sports Coaches Certification Program. The sports program has opportunities for ages 3 through 17.

After School Child Care SACC Office
(410) 222-7856
The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Park’s sponsored School-age Child Care (SACC) has openings available for children in kindergarten through fifth-grade. The after-school program operates from the end of the school day until 6 p.m. every day that school is open for students.

Daycare, After-School Care and All Childcare Information
(301) 677-1156⁄1149

PET CARE

Veterinary Treatment Facility
2018 20th Street
(301) 677-1300
Hours: Monday to Friday,7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for over-the-counter products; appointment hours vary. Closed the last working day of the month and all Federal holidays.
Routine veterinary care for privately-owned animals is available by appointment on an outpatient basis at the Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Facility. Services are offered for animals owned by personnel authorized to receive Department of Defense medical care; a valid military ID must be presented. For safety reasons, no children under 12 years of age are allowed in the VTF.

The appointment schedule for veterinary clinical services (which includes vaccinations, sick call and health certificates) varies due to food service inspection and military working dog commitments.

Animal Bites
Military personnel or family members bitten or scratched by any animal should report to Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center for treatment. Civilian employees or other individuals not authorized for care at KACC should seek medical treatment from a health-care provider of their choice. All animal bite incidents are reported to the VTF by KACC or county animal control facilities. In all cases of unprovoked attacks, the sponsor will be cited for failure to comply with Fort Meade Animal Control Policy.

Leash Law
All dogs and cats on post must be chained, penned, or on a leash at all times when outside. Dogs tied outside must have access to adequate shelter and clean water at all times. Sponsors are liable for all damage to real or personal property as well as any injury to other individuals caused by their pet’s actions. Animals found unattended or roaming free on post will be impounded by the Directorate of Emergency Services and taken to Anne Arundel County Animal Control ((410) 222-8900).

Ownership
Fort Meade Regulation 40-22 governs animal ownership. Wild and exotic animals are not permitted as pets on the installation. No pets other than dogs, cats, pet rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and rats), fish, small reptiles or caged birds may be maintained in post housing. All dogs and cats maintained in post housing must be registered at the VTF within 10 days of occupancy in government quarters or as the animal reaches three months of age.

All pets must wear a Fort Meade rabies tag and have a current vaccination history on file. Every pet must also have a microchip implanted for identification purposes. This can be done at the VTF on a walk-in basis. If your pet is more than 3 months old and has been vaccinated for rabies elsewhere, owners must provide the VTF with a copy of the certificate during registration or the pet will need to be revaccinated.

No more than two dogs or cats in any combination are allowed in a single-housing unit. Please note that Picerne Military Housing has additional requirements which should be reviewed by any person with a pet to be housed on Fort Meade.

Pet Care Center
Range Road, (301) 677-4059
The Fort Meade Family Pet Care Center has the capacity to board 11 cats and 28 dogs. Each dog has its own indoor and outdoor run. The indoor runs are climate controlled, and the outdoor runs are shaded with insulated roofing. There is a large tub basin for dog washing; professional grooming is available at an extra charge. Short- and long-term boarding services are available as well as doggie daycare.