Starting with a complete assessment of the County's specific objectives and requirements, the IDSA assisted Program Director Mrs. Christina Bishop to set up a county sponsored "Self-Defense for individuals with disabilities" curriculum for the St. Mary's Parks & Recreation department, Adult & Youth Leisure Programs Division.

The IDSA issued St. Mary's County a "County License" and Mrs. Bishop a "Program Administrator License". For staffing solutions, the IDSA assisted with the recruitment of two Instructors with a Martial Arts / Self-Defense training background from the immediate community. Mrs. Bishop submitted the selected Instructor's applications to the IDSA for a background / qualifications review and assessment. Upon conclusion of the interview process, Tim Anderson and Darlene VanGaasbeck subsequently completed the IDSA Instructor's training course, obtained Instructor licensing and received their teaching assignments for the County's Defense-Ability programs.

The implementation of this innovative type of program set new, groundbreaking standards for all those involved in community services and defined St. Mary's County as a leader in the industry. Utilizing creative thinking and its media resources to promote and introduce the unique and exciting "Defense-Ability" curriculum to the community, St. Mary's County featured the IDSA and Instructor Tim Anderson on the cover of the Parks & Recreation Program Guide.

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