EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
1
EPA
National
Community
Recognition
Program
Validation
of
Beta
Application
Thank
you
very
much
for
contributing
your
expertise
and
time
to
assist
the
EPA
in
creating
this
national
recognition
program
for
communities
who
are
creating
smart
growth
initiatives
that
also
specifically
enhance
the
health
and
well­
being
of
older
Americans.

The
purpose
of
the
beta
testing
process
is
to
establish
content
validity
of
the
project
questions
and
gather
feedback
for
question
revision
through
rankings
by
content
area
experts
in
smart
growth
and
active
aging,
local/
county/
state
officials,
and
others
representing
potential
applicants
to
the
recognition
program.
We
also
want
to
assess
the
ease
of
completing
the
on­
line
instrument.

Instructions:

Please
read
the
introductory
section
containing
the
definitions
of
the
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programming
of
interest,
and
the
descriptions
of
the
process
and
program
levels.
Applicants
will
also
be
asked
to
acknowledge
their
review
of
accompanying
documents
regarding
specific
components
of
smart
growth
policy,
and
the
participation
of
a
local
aging­
services
official
in
completion
of
the
recognition
program
application.

Read
each
statement
beginning
on
page
3
for
items
1A
through
5D
and
rate
each
on
a
scale
of
1
­
10
as
to
how
well
it
reflects
the
content
described
in
the
process
and
program
definitions
provided
below.
YOU
DO
NOT
HAVE
TO
COMPLETE
THE
INFORMATION
ABOUT
THE
PROGRAM
ITSELF,
ONLY
THE
SECTION
REGARDING
HOW
WELL
THE
ITEM
ASSESSES
THE
CONTENT
REGARDING
SMART
GROWTH
(
SG)
and/
or
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
(
PA).
WE
WANT
TO
DETERMINE
IF
THE
ITEM
IS
CLEAR
AND
UNDERSTANDABLE
TO
YOU.
Questions
for
you
to
complete
are
in
red
and
bold
type.
Regardless
of
your
rating,
we
encourage
you
to
suggest
any
revision
that
would
clarify
the
content
of
the
item.

Introduction
Definitions:

*
Smart
Growth
(
SG):
Smart
Growth
is
defined
as
community
development
that
serves
the
environment,
community,
economy,
and
public
health.
The
principles
of
smart
growth
include:
1)
Mixed­
use
zoning;
2)
Take
advantage
of
compact
building
design;
3)
Create
a
range
of
housing
opportunities
and
choices;
4)
Create
walkable
neighborhoods
with
access
to
healthy
choices;
5)
Foster
distinctive,
attractive
neighborhoods
with
a
sense
of
place;
6)
Preserve
open
space,
farmland,
natural
beauty,
and
critical
resources;
7)
Strengthen
and
direct
development
towards
existing
communities;
8)
Provide
connectivity
through
a
variety
of
transportation
choices;
9)
Make
development
decisions
predictable,
fair,
and
cost
effective;
10)
Encourage
community
stakeholders
collaboration
in
development
decisions.

To
be
completed
by
applicant:


I
have
reviewed
the
accompanying
policy
and
activity
components
that
are
integral
to
the
smart
growth
principles
above,
and
understand
that
they
should
form
the
basis
for
our
community's
responses
to
the
application
items
for
the
Smart
Growth
and
Active.
Aging
National
Recognition
Program.
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
2
*
Active
Aging/
Physical
Activity
(
PA):
includes
planning
and
implementing
a
variety
of
widely
accessible
programs
and/
or
self­
directed
opportunities
for
those
60+
and
which
emphasize
activities
that
increase
endurance,
strength,
flexibility,
balance,
and
the
principles
of
injury
prevention.
These
types
of
activities
include
walking,
biking,
fitness
trails
and
similar
activities/
programs
at
various
levels
of
intensity
to
fit
the
capacities
of
participants
in
an
location
that
is
safe
from
injuries
from
humans
and
the
environment.
*
This
section
will
include
additional
resource
links
*
Community
assessment
or
survey:
can
include
formal
needs
assessment
or
community
survey
or
discussion
of
community
needs
with
service
providers
with
smart
growth
or
active
aging/
physical
activity
programming
or
opportunities
in
the
community.
It
is
important
for
this
survey
to
include
a
diverse
group
of
individuals,
including
racial/
ethnic
diversity
as
well
as
economic
diversity.
*
This
section
will
include
additional
resource
links
*
Denotes
information
link
to
definitions,
examples,
weblinks,
etc
Description
of
process
and
program
levels:

Process
I:
Awareness
of
and
general
commitment
to
basic
smart
growth
principles
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities.

Process
II:
Awareness
of
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
principles,
applications
and
implementation
strategies
formulated
with
attention
to
linking
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities
in
the
community.

Process
III:
Well­
established
processes
combining
smart
growth
and
active
aging
with
coherent
framework
and
broad
smart
growth
and
aging
network
community
participation.
Well­
conceived
and
funded
strategic
attention
to
smart
growth
principles
and
active
aging
programs
and
opportunities;
ability
to
mentor
or
serve
as
model
for
other
communities.
Processes
are
scalable,
sustainable,
and
sharable.
Should
measurable
be
added
here
as
well?

Program
I:
Actively
engaged
in
formulating
pilot
programs
and
activities
combining
smart
growth
and
active
aging.

Program
II:
Established/
expanding
programs
combining
smart
growth
and
active
aging;
engagement
of
broader
segments
of
the
community
in
program
activity;
active
promotion
of
the
program
on
a
community
basis.
Strong
focus
on
community
education/
awareness?

Program
III:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
3
Ongoing/
expanding
programs
on
a
wide
community
basis
that
are
effectively
applying
principles
of
smart
growth
and
active
aging;
wide
community
involvement
of
multiple
sectors
within
the
community;
program
funding
sources
established;
ability
to
mentor
or
serve
as
a
model
program
for
other
communities.
Programs
are
scalable,
sustainable,
measurable
and
sharable.

BETA
Items
Level1
1
A:
SG
Process
I:
Our
community
has
defined
goals
or
a
mission
for
advancing
or
applying
*
smart
growth
principles
in
relation
to
the
aging
population.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
___
5___
Suggestions
for
revision:
See
edits
in
question
 
this
question
only
addresses
smart
growth,
not
in
relation
to
aging;
however
the
process
seems
to
be
targeting
aging
as
well 
not
sure
if
this
is
where
you
are
going?

1
B:
SG
Process
I:
Our
community
has
conducted
a
*
community
assessment,
survey
or
other
planning
activity
for
applying
*
smart
growth
principles.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
4
Your
Score:
__
5____
Suggestions
for
revision:
Once
again,
is
this
supposed
to
focus
on
aging
as
well
as
smart
growth
(
there
is
no
reference
to
aging
in
the
smart
growth
definition).

1
C:
PA
Process
I:
Our
community
has
defined
goals
or
a
mission
for
increasing
older
adult
participation
in
*
active
aging/
physical
activity.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
10____
Suggestions
for
revision:
This
addresses
aging
 
good.

1
D:
PA:
Process
I:
Our
community
has
conducted
a
*
community
assessment
or
survey,
or
reviewed
information/
data
for
increasing
older
adult
participation
in
active
aging/
physical
activity.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
5
Suggestions
for
revision:

Level
2
2
A:
SG:
Process
II:
Our
community's
strategic
development
plan
includes
aspects
of
feasibility,
cost,
impact,
time
frame
and
leadership
for
applying
smart
growth
principles.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
5____
Suggestions
for
revision:
Not
sure
if
this
needs
to
have
aging
in
here?

2
B:
SG:
Process
II:
Our
community
is
actively
engaged
in
formulating
plans
and
strategies
for
specifically
linking
smart
growth
initiatives
with
programs,
amenities
or
opportunities
that
include
active
aging/
physical
activity
for
older
adults

Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
6
2
C:
PA:
Process
II:
Our
community
has
a
broad
based
planning
process
that
includes
feasibility,
cost,
impact,
time
frame
and
leadership
for
creating/
promoting
active
aging/
physical
activity
for
aging
adults.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
10____
Suggestions
for
revision:
Only
other
suggestion
would
be
that
the
planning
process
is
mandated
 
this
would
truly
evaluate
the
consistency
of
the
consideration
of
these
principles.

2
D:
PA:
Process
II:
Our
community
has
established
interagency
committees,
task
forces,
or
other
community
partnerships
with
local
aging
organizations,
service
providers,
and
agencies
as
a
means
of
coordinating
activities
and
programs
with
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
components.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
7
Level
3
3
A:
SG
&
PA:
Process
III:
Our
community's
comprehensive
planning
integrates
smart
growth
principles
and
promotes
application
of
these
to
encompass
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities
for
older
adults.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Process
III:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
10____
Suggestions
for
revision:

3
B:
SG:
Program
I:
Our
community
has
legislative,
zoning,
comprehensive
plan
initiatives
and
other
policies
in
place
or
in
consideration
that
include
provision
for
both
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
or
opportunities
for
older
adults.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
____
10__
Suggestions
for
revision:
This
is
a
critical
question
 
good!
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
8
3
C:
PA:
Program
I:
Our
community
has
created
pilot
programs,
or
has
existing
programs
for
active
aging/
physical
activity
for
older
adults
which
take
advantage
of
the
resources
and
environments
created
by
local
smart
growth
activities
such
as
safe
walking
area,
biking
amenities,
age­
sensitive
exercise
trails,
safe
parks,
etc.
*
This
section
will
include
additional
resource
links

Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
I:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:

Level
4
4
A:
SG:
Program
II:
Our
community
is
increasing
its
capacity
through
budget
allocation,
staff
resources,
infrastructure
improvement,
etc.
for
systematically
expanding
existing
initiatives
that
combine
smart
growth
principles
and
planning
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
9
4
B:
SG:
Program
II:
Our
community
is
reaching
out
to
local/
county/
state
officials
and
departments,
land
developers,
community
organizations,
and
public
health
experts
to
expand
the
integration
of
smart
growth
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
___
9___
Suggestions
for
revision:
I
added
public
health
experts,
as
they
can
provide
valuable
feedback
regarding
this
process
w.
r.
t.
death/
injury
statistics,
health
needs
of
aging
population.

4
C:
PA:
Program
II:
Our
community
includes
gathering
evidence
about
and
evaluating
the
effectiveness
of
and
level
of
participation
in
our
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities
for
older
adults.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
complete

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
10____
Suggestions
for
revision:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
10
4
D:
PA:
Program
II:
Our
community
has
an
initiative
that
includes
promotion,
advertising,
recruitment,
and
widely
available
programs
and
opportunities
to
engage
more
older
adults
in
active
aging/
physical
activity.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program
II:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:
GOOD!!!

Level
5
5
A:
SG:
Program/
Process
III:
Our
community
has
already
implemented,
or
has
the
capacity
to
implement
a
model
program
combining
smart
growth
principles
with
programs
emphasizing
active
aging/
physical
activity
for
older
adults.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program/
Process
III:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
_
10_____
Suggestions
for
revision:

5
B:
SG:
Program/
Process
III:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
11
Our
community
has
a
well­
established
smart
growth
initiative
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities
and
is
planning
to
expand
these
to
a
wider
segment
of
our
population
as
well
as
the
partnerships
that
will
support
these
programs.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program/
Process
III:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
___
10___

Suggestions
for
revision:

5
C:
PA:
Program/
Process
III:
Our
community
has
an
established
coalition
of
service
providers,
advocacy
organizations,
businesses
and
governmental
agencies
who
are
cooperating
to
create
more
innovative
and
widely
available
programs
that
integrate
smart
growth
principles
and
active
aging/
physical
activity
programs
and
opportunities.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Describe
Activity:

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program/
Process
III:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
10______
Suggestions
for
revision:

5
D:
PA:
Program/
Process
III:
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
12
Our
community
has
an
existing
model
program
integrating
active
aging/
physical
activity
and
smart
growth
for
older
adults
and
we
can
provide
technical
assistance
and
a
contact
person
to
share
information
with
other
communities.


Not
at
all

Just
starting

Partially
completed

Fully
Completed

Ongoing
Please
describe
your
program/
initiative
below
or
attach
additional
information:

Contact
Person
for
program/
initiative
described
above:
Name:_____________________________________________
Title:______________________________________________
Organization:_______________________________________
Address:___________________________________________
____________________________________________
City:________________________________
State:_____
Zip:__________
Phone:___________________
Fax:_________________
Email:__________________________________________

>
How
well
does
this
item
assess
the
content
for
Program/
Process
III:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not
at
all
Adequately
Very
Well
Your
Score:
__
7___
Suggestions
for
revision:
I
recommend
asking
how
they
know
that
it
is
effective/
a
model
so
that
it
can
encourage
other
communities
to
use
it.
It
can
be
difficult
to
encourage
others
to
use
a
program
without
measurables.

BETA
TEST
RESPONDENTS:
PLEASE
COMPLETE
THE
QUESTIONS
BELOW:

>
How
was
the
process
of
completing
this
document
for
you
and/
or
your
staff?
EPA
Smart
Growth
&
Active
Aging
National
Recognition
Program
DCTM_
ARP.
doc
13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Easy
Somewhat
Difficult
Difficult
If
you
rated
this
process
with
a
score
of
6
 
10,
please
suggest
how
we
might
make
this
questionnaire
easier
to
complete:

>
Approximately
how
long
did
it
take
to
complete
this?
_____
hrs.
__
30___
min.

>
Would
you
recommend
applying
for
this
recognition
program
to
other
communities?
X
___
Yes
___
No
Applicant
completing
this
beta
test
form:

Name:
_____
Monica
Buhlig___________________________________

Title:
______
Program
Administrator__________________________________

Organization:
_________
Denver
Environmental
Health
______________________________

Address:
________
201
West
Colfax
Ave,
Dept
1009
___________________________________
___________________________________________

City:
_____________
Denver____________
State:__
CO_
Zip:__
802020____

Phone:
_
702­
865­
5407____
Fax:_________________

Email:
__
monica.
buhlig@
ci.
denver.
co.
us__________________________

Thank
you
for
you
assistance.
Please
return
the
completed
MSWord
document
to
Dr.
John
Migliaccio
at
drjohnmig@
aol.
com
or
hardcopy
by
mail
to
Maturity
Mark
Services
Co.,
55
Springdale
Ave.,
White
Plains,
NY
10604­
2309
(
914)
684­
9112.
