Caesars Windsor Security Providing Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training to Brentwood Recovery Home Staff

Today, Curtis Holden, Caesars Windsor Security Manager, kicked off three training sessions for 55 management and staff at Brentwood Recovery Home. During these day-long sessions, participants learn important skills on how to successfully de-escalate and prevent potentially violent situations through an accredited international program called Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), created by Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). CPI is a global organization that provides extensive training in NCI to industry professionals in security, behavioural health, health care, human services and educators. 

Thanks to funding by Caesars Windsor Cares, Brentwood is able to provide training materials, certification and the expertise of facilitator Holden. One of only a few certified NCI trainers in the city, Holden successfully completed his NCI Trainer Certification in 2016 in an extensive CPI program in Toronto in order to train the more than 200 Security Officers and Managers at Caesars Windsor.

“As a company, we wanted to be proactive and train our officers on how to respond appropriately and de-escalate situations, keeping themselves and others safe,” Holden said. Through workbook and interactive exercises, participants learn: how to recognize precipitating factors; the advantages of non-physical interactions; empathetic and active listening; tone, language and speech patterns and more.

“This best practice training was developed by third party experts and is taught to a range of organizations across North America.  Trainees are shown how to interpret and respond proactively in interactions with others, both personally and professionally. We take great pride in the training we provide our Security staff that ensures the safety and well-being of themselves, our guests and their co-workers. They are well-trained in medical response, CPR, defibrillation and now this. By sponsoring this training at Brentwood and sharing our expertise with non-profit organizations, it’s another way Caesars Windsor Cares gives back to the community.” – Kelly Wolfe-Gregoire, VP of Human Resources, Caesars Windsor

Mark Lennox, Brentwood Director of Development, had heard through an employee that Caesars Windsor Security staff were trained in NCI and reached out to see how they can empower their counsellors and support staff with the same program.

“We were given Curtis’ contact at Caesars Windsor. After a 40 minute presentation about the benefits of the training, we knew it was something we wanted to provide our staff to be better trained in ways how to prevent an escalating situation in a manner that keeps our staff and clients safe,” explained Lennox.

The Brentwood Recovery Home is dedicated to providing compassionate care and treatment in a residential setting for people whose primary problem is alcohol and drug abuse. In addition, Brentwood provides vital support programs for their families.

Since the beginning, Caesars Windsor Cares has proudly supported local organizations that work toward building a better future for our community and its citizens. From corporate giving, volunteering and fundraising, we work to enrich our community by partnering and contributing to local non-for-profits in long-lasting, sustainable ways. Since 1994, Caesars Windsor Cares has donated $14 million in funding and in-kind resources to support non-profits in their missions to positively impact the greatest number possible, in the Health and Wellness, Environment Sustainability and Conservation, Community Enrichment and Seniors.