FISH of SanCap staff recently joined the Disaster Case Management Course hosted at United Way’s David Lucas Campus in Fort Myers.
The two-day training, led by SBP and made possible thanks to FISH’s community partners American Red Cross and United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, focused on strengthening response and recovery skills to better serve communities impacted by disaster.
The course, designed to build knowledge around intake, outreach, recovery planning, and long-term case management, emphasized SBP’s mission of “shrinking the time between disaster and recovery.” FISH staff attended with the goal of further developing the tools needed to manage cases and support individuals in the event of future disasters.
“After the devastation our community has experienced from recent hurricanes, I wanted to ensure our team had access to the best training possible,” said Maria Espinoza, FISH Executive Director. “Sending staff to this course gives us the opportunity to strengthen our case management systems and deepen our ability to assist families and individuals from response through long-term recovery. Our goal is to be ready—not only to react in the moment, but to provide support in the months and years that follow.”
The training also proved valuable for staff stepping into new roles, giving them the chance to build confidence, expand their knowledge, and connect with other disaster recovery professionals across the region.
“As I step into my new role as Community Outreach and Resiliency Director, this training could not have come at a better time,” said Simon Robson. “The course gave me both a big-picture understanding of disaster response systems and practical tools for case management. Learning directly from SBP and the Red Cross, together with our partners at United Way, helped me see how each step—outreach, intake, recovery planning, and long-term support—fits together to create a lifeline for survivors. I now feel better equipped to guide our outreach and resiliency efforts on Sanibel and Captiva, ensuring that when disaster strikes, our neighbors know FISH is here to help them every step of the way.”
FISH extends its gratitude to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, SBP, and the American Red Cross for making this valuable training possible. The cost to attend was funded, in part, through a Hurricane Helene & Milton Capacity Grant provided by the American Red Cross, which allowed FISH to invest in team development and preparedness.
By participating in trainings like this, FISH continues its commitment to helping Sanibel and Captiva residents and workforce navigate the complex road from disaster response to recovery, while building resilience for the future.
Photo Caption: FISH team, left to right: Nitza Lopez, Erika Arnowitz, Kim Baker, Simon Robson
