CVPSD Delivers Comprehensive Workforce Violence Prevention and Self-Defense Training for Middlesex County Health and Human Services Staff
- william demuth
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Middlesex County, NJ — June 17th, 2025 — The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD) is proud to announce the successful development and delivery of a specialized Workforce Violence Prevention and Self-Defense Training program for the staff of Middlesex County Health and Human Services. This initiative reflects CVPSD’s commitment to empowering public service professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure a safer, more resilient workplace.
The training was designed to address the unique challenges faced by health and human services staff, equipping them with practical strategies to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to potential threats in the workplace. The curriculum combined evidence-based practices with interactive instruction, covering a broad spectrum of topics essential for modern workforce safety and well-being.
Key Training Topics Included:
Using Emotional Intelligence to Prevent Violence
Participants learned how to recognize and manage emotions—both their own and others’—to defuse potentially volatile situations before they escalate.
Managing Fear and Anger
Techniques were introduced to help staff better regulate stress responses, ensuring clearer thinking and safer outcomes during high-pressure encounters.
Performing Under Stress
The training provided tools for maintaining composure and making effective decisions when confronted with workplace threats.
Critical Situational Awareness Skills
Staff were taught how to identify environmental cues and behavioral indicators that may signal an emerging risk.
Verbal De-escalation Techniques
Instruction focused on when and how to use calm, assertive communication to resolve conflicts without physical intervention.
Disengagement and Deterrence
Strategies were shared for safely disengaging from aggressive individuals and deterring further escalation.
Setting and Reinforcing Boundaries
Staff practiced establishing clear, respectful boundaries to protect themselves and others.
Developing a Proper Mindset
Emphasis was placed on cultivating a proactive, safety-conscious attitude.
Protective Congruent Body Language
The training highlighted the importance of nonverbal cues in projecting confidence and discouraging aggression.
Spotting Pre-Attack Indicators
Staff learned to recognize early warning signs of violence, enabling timely intervention or escape.
Impact and Commitment
CVPSD’s program was tailored to the needs of Middlesex County Health and Human Services, ensuring that all staff—regardless of prior experience—could participate fully and benefit from the training. The initiative underscores the county’s proactive approach to workplace safety and its dedication to supporting the well-being of its employees.
“We are honored to partner with Middlesex County Health and Human Services in delivering this vital training,” said a CVPSD spokesperson. “By equipping staff with practical tools and confidence, we are helping to foster a safer, more supportive environment for both employees and the communities they serve.”
For more information about CVPSD’s training programs, visit cvpsd.org or contact us.
Online Violence Prevention and Self Defense Training Brought To You By Generous Supporters
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing violence by educating at-risk individuals and communities.
Through a combination of online and in-person training, workshops, and seminars, CVPSD provides practical self-defense skills, violence prevention strategies, risk assessment tools, and guidance on setting personal and relationship boundaries.
Partnering with public and private organizations, schools, nonprofits, community groups, and government agencies—including those under the General Services Administration (GSA)—CVPSD works to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize, avoid, and respond effectively to threats.
.