Jennifer Burke-Guptill
Jennifer Burke-Guptill is a dedicated child welfare professional based in Davenport, Florida, currently serving as a Child Protection Investigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families. With a deeply personal perspective shaped by her own childhood experiences of removal from her family and overcoming substance use, Jennifer brings authenticity, empathy, and resilience to her work. She is committed to ensuring that children grow up safe, loved, and supported while empowering families to stay together whenever possible.
Prior to her current role, Jennifer spent nine years in public education before transitioning into child welfare. She worked for Youth Villages as a Family Intervention Specialist, providing intensive in-home family counseling and prevention services, achieving remarkable outcomes for children and families. Her work has been featured in press interviews, a short film presented at the Red Kite Night Gala in Boston, and a two-part podcast, highlighting her journey from trauma to transformation. Her lived experiences with domestic violence also inform her practice, giving her unique insight into helping clients navigate complex family dynamics.
Jennifer holds an Associate in Behavioral Science and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Educational Advocacy from Granite State College (Summa Cum Laude) and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work through the University of New England. She is a credentialed Professional Life Coach and trained in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. Known for her integrity, authenticity, and trauma-focused approach, Jennifer is a walking testimony of resilience, using her story to empower families, children, and fellow professionals in the child welfare field.
• Professional Life Coach
• Crisis Prevention Training
• University of New England – Master of Social Work (In Progress)
• University of New Hampshire / Granite State College – Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Educational Advocacy
• Granite State College – Associate in Behavioral Science, Summa Cum Laude
• Employee of the Month through Rochester School District
• Staff of the Year 2024 at Youth Villages
• Summa Cum Laude, Granite State College
• Florida Department of Children and Families
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to turning adversity into motivation. Having been removed from my family as a child, struggling with substance use, and experiencing domestic violence, I’ve taken those experiences and used them to guide, understand, and support the children and families I work with. My lived experiences give me insight and connection that allows me to empower others. I consider myself a walking testimony, and being open and vulnerable fuels my work every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to lead with integrity and never do something you don’t love. Passion and authenticity in your work are essential. I’ve also learned that difficult people will always exist in the workplace, and you need to navigate and work through those challenges professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Always be authentic. Stay true to who you are and approach your work with honesty and compassion. Authenticity is the most important foundation for building trust and effectiveness in social work.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is the public perception of child welfare. Many people assume our goal is to remove children from their families, when in reality, we strive to keep families together whenever safely possible. Overcoming this misconception is essential, as it affects how families engage with our services. Opportunities lie in prevention, reunification, and providing trauma-informed care that truly strengthens families and children.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and authenticity are core to everything I do. I prioritize doing what I say I will do, meeting people where they are, and applying a trauma-focused lens to all my work. Treating people as human and respecting their experiences is central to both my professional and personal life.