STATEWIDE
Safe Families Florida's Statewide Team
Safe Families for Children Florida’s statewide team exists to serve and strengthen the organization’s network of local chapters across the state, ensuring they have the support, resources, and advocacy needed to effectively serve families in crisis. While local chapters work directly with children and parents, the statewide team operates behind the scenes—providing strategic guidance, communications support, and capacity-building to help each chapter grow and succeed.
At the state level, the team also leads efforts to elevate Safe Families’ mission across Florida, building awareness and cultivating partnerships that expand its reach and impact. During Florida’s legislative sessions, the statewide team advocates on behalf of the organization and the families it serves, working to advance policies and funding that prioritize family preservation, prevention, and community-based care.
MEET OUR TEAM
Director
Jewel Photopulos
Jewel Photopulos began serving with Safe Families Tampa in 2020. She and her husband Tom have been married for 24 years and have two amazing adult daughters, Kalista and Eris. Jewel has a background in coaching as well as children’s ministry. She also worked in administration for a local charter school for several years. She has spent a lifetime working closely with children. She is a native Floridian and in fact, still lives in the town in which she grew up. Jewel discovered her calling when she found Safe Families for Children. She is incredibly passionate about helping those in need and connecting with others to do the same. In her role as State Director she is responsible for leading statewide development and growth in fundraising, facilitating partnerships and supporting existing chapters.
Family Services Director
Nicole Pankey
Nicole Pankey, LMHC, serves as the Family Services Statewide Director for Florida with Safe Families for Children. She partners with chapter teams and volunteers throughout the state, providing support, encouragement, and strategic guidance as they walk alongside families in times of crisis. Nicole is passionate to support Safe Families’ mission of keeping children safe and families together through a community of compassionate volunteers everyday people doing extraordinary things to create extended family-like support and help families find stability and thrive. She lives in Tampa with her husband and son and is grateful to serve the Safe Families community.
Director of Quality and Training
Jennifer Rippy
Jennifer is a Florida native. She is married with 4 boys, 2 girls and 7 grandkids. She worked her way through school as a massage therapist and finished her bachelor's in Health Science. She has worked in adult and middle school education for 20 years, along with Family Intervention Case Management, Addiction Recovery, Mental Health Services and Human Trafficking Awareness and Rehabilitation for over 10years. She also is the Vice Chair for the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.
She used the strength and wisdom God gave her to work with those being rescued from the adult entertainment industry, domestic violence, mental health and addiction. She has worked both in-patient as a Client Care Coordinator and in-field as a Family Intervention Specialist.
She has worked in ministry for over 20 years. Helping to lead a Single Mom's ministry, Domestic Violence support groups and leading mission's teams into Haiti, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Church & Community Strategic Engagement Director
Justin Barfield
Justin serves Safe Families for Children as Florida’s State Director for Community & Church Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, equipping pastoral leaders and local chapters statewide.He is a husband, father, and faith-rooted nonprofit leader.
Justin is a curious practitioner of music and community who enjoys coffee, conversation, and contemplation. He notices God most in the space between people—where belonging is built and families find hope.
With over 25 years of experience in ministry centered on forming communities of care, Justin often serves at the strange intersection of hope and homelessness, where isolation and exploitation can thrive.
He has planted churches and helped transition maturing communities/organizations by nurturing multidisciplinary teams.
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Justin and his wife, Stephanie, are raising three strong and mighty daughters—Winifred, Olivia, and Margaret.
Administrative Director
Mara Talley
I’m Mara Talley, and I serve as the Florida State Administrative Director for Safe Families for Children. In my role, I’m dedicated to supporting both my colleagues and the families we serve by helping create a strong, caring community where no one feels alone during difficult seasons. I’m passionate about making sure families feel seen, supported, and encouraged every step of the way.
I have a background in children’s ministry, where I spent over 15 years developing biblical curriculum and working closely with young children. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Education and spent about six years teaching, which deepened my love for helping young minds grow and thrive. Later, I worked in production management, where I helped build company procedures and support team development. Each of these experiences has shaped my passion for organization, creativity, and caring for others in meaningful ways.
At home, I’m a proud mom to three wonderful kids—Lily, Elias, and Ezren—and have been happily married to my husband, Antonio, for 13 years. My family is the joy of my life and continues to inspire me in both my work and everyday life.
