Jessica Carpenter, LCSW

05/06/2026

1/3 of social workers are being let go in Salt Lake City School District. While this is devastating, schools across the state are trying to figure out what to pay for.

Whether it is with the schools or local leaders, they represent you. I can speak from experience, they want to hear from you so they know what the people, who they represent, want as a whole. Make what is important to you be known, it doesn’t end when you vote.

*Peep my sweet poster🤓

The Salt Lake City School District's board voted to raise the price of student meals and will eliminate six social worker positions next school year, reducing the district's social worker staff.

04/29/2026

Hey guys, I need your help.

Salt Lake City School District is meeting on Tuesday and those supporting mental health in schools will all be there. If you live and/or have students here join me in advocating for these kids.

Please write to your school board rep., show up, submit public comment, share this or similar posts, all the things. This is bigger than just people losing their jobs, it’s knowingly opening the gaps wider where more kids will fall through.

Find your rep here: https://slcschools.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/interactivelegend/index.html?appid=0d9ff818641b4b7ba116fb7267b4c0ee&fbclid=IwVERDUARfAIlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe7UklnVzuRkgnHauAVGHsMZR5p2twIw9uW3TJNSjX8JdKHoRQzfadNqDjZnU_aem_HOPBuXbceAqaePTKOjhgUw

04/03/2026

Giving new life to this little guy who was looking at the donation bin.

Meet Barry the weighted lap Bear.

When I think about him I compare his life cycle to mine sometimes. We all go through different seasons of life and we are good at different things at different times. The same goes for our impact on those around us.

Maybe you are older and can’t get around as well or you are far from loved ones and can’t do what you had when they were closer. Maybe life has completely changed who you are as a person. However you are today, work with it. Rebrand, repurpose, or reimagine who you are and go from there. Just like Barry here, you can have new purpose and just as amazing things as before, it will just look a little different.

01/22/2026

Utah School Board of Education Update:

Welp, the school board recommended a cut in funding for mental health services for the state of Utah. That means that during the Legislative Session (happening now) politicians/our representatives will be deciding where money will go. They asked the board to cut a percentage of their budget so we know something is going.

This cut could impact the number of counselors at schools, mental health resources(think classes, programming, assessments) Number of social workers in the district(me having a job), psychologists, pretty much anyone with any kid of training or responsibility in supporting kids with the s**z this world sometimes puts them in.

Sooooooo, if supporting the mental health of any child in the state of Utah, that attends a public school is important to, please take the time and contact your state legislator. Do it now as decision are being made now on what is cut and what gets to stay.

https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Use this link to find your representative and let them know what you value. Often times they need to hear from you so they know what their people want.

12/03/2025

Sometimes you just can’t take yourself too seriously.

Seeing this game lit up my heart like a kid in a candy store. Sometimes my sense of harm or even surprises me but then I remember that surprising myself is one of my most cherished attributes.

Take just 30 seconds( yup, right now) to smile at just one attribute you have, however bizarre it might be.

Congratulations!!! You just added 1 more ounce of self-love to your bucket. Easy, right?

11/01/2025

We are on Hay Ride duty this year. Hope you all are taking some time to have a little fun and enjoy the cuteness and cooler weather.

09/20/2025

My phone Lock Screen

Sometimes we get in this mindset that there is a right way or a wrong way to do things. That we have to “do it” like “everyone else.”

Now if you know me at all you know that I like to make it weird, color outside of the lines, if you will. I am not immune to feeling like I am too far from the norm. During different seasons of my life this was more intense of a feeling.

This message is a consistent reminder/permission to march to the beat of my own drum, even if the only other instrument is a violin.

09/19/2025

The heartache of a broken creation. I was really proud of how this came out but there was one flaw, the lid dried with the lip curved out vs in make the lid stuck to the point my only option was to break it.

I learned a few good lessons from the failure though… TAPER IN!!!! Also that I have a choice. Rafiki taught me that. IYKYK

09/19/2025

The wise one.

Classic Lion King clip. Owned by Disney, no copyright infrinement intended

09/11/2025

Don’t let Evil Prevail

My drive to work is always a time for me to let my mind process. This day has always carried a heaviness that few days carry for me as well for many of us. So many loved ones gave the ultimate gift that continues to impact millions of people. Politics continue to be impacted by evil as a political activist was assassinated just yesterday here in Utah.

We can ask why and stay within ourselves. We can be angry and react poorly. We can be scared and hide from the world. Ect. Ect.

What if we decide to let good be the center of all things? What if we work together, despite differences, to challenge evil instead? What if we use the light to challenge the darkness?

The pain will be there but we can use that pain to create good. I truely believe that. Lets ponder on the good in people and the world.

Spread Hope my friends and Let Good Prevail