By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Sandi Carsey’s job never won her any popularity contests. As a county protective services worker, she often made decisions that upset families.
But after 36 years on the job, her work has secured places in the memories of children she helped, and has won her the respect of others in the child and elder protection professions.
Carsey, of Bowling Green, is retiring next week after serving the last 15 years as Wood County Protective Services Administrator.
She never planned to be working in child and elder protective services for her entire career.
“When I was in college, I was looking for a career in something medical,” she said. Then she happened upon social work.
“I thought I was going to help people and change the world. I enjoy social work. I like to make things better if I can.”
For many years, she worked directly with local children and their families.
“There are cases I remember from when I was a caseworker a long time ago,” she said.
Oftentimes, parents felt wronged when their children were removed from their home for abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Carsey’s calm demeanor aided her in dealing with families. “You’ve got to listen to them and give them the opportunity to vent their frustration,” she said.
Then she’d have to make tough decisions.
“Bottom line – it comes down to child safety,” she said.
And Carsey has the ability to make those tough calls, said David Wigent, director of Wood County Job and Family Services.
“You have to make judgment calls every day that affect children,” Wigent said. Despite all the horrible situations encountered in her job, Carsey was able to do just that.
“She’s a steady hand. She doesn’t get panicked or upset,” he said of her ability to keep her focus on the kids.
Wood County Juvenile Court Judge Dave Woessner shared that assessment of Carsey’s skills.
“Sandi, to me, was able to listen. She has a quiet confidence to talk with people, and assist families who are having challenges,” he said.
Woessner has worked with Carsey while he was an assistant prosecuting attorney and then as a juvenile court judge. She also assisted in his probate court, when families adopted children – some happier moments on job.
“She’s got a real feel for family dynamics, which was natural for her,” Woessner said.
Occasionally, Carsey encounters the children from her early cases now as adults. “I see them working in the community,” she said. One former child comes up to her every time to talk. “He was one of my favorites. That makes me happy that he remembers.”
The focus of child protective services has shifted during her career. In her early years, it was typical for the office to have 100 or so children in custody. As of this week, that number is 40. The change is an increased emphasis of working with parents to make the family home safe for their children, and the newer effort to place children with other “kin” before putting them in homes where they have no connection.
“When I first started, it’s not like it is now,” Carsey said. “We do put in a huge effort to keep families together.”
As director, she and her staff organized Christmas parties, and Santa Shops to help families put presents under their trees for the holidays.
“We did some really good things for our families,” she said.
In a profession where burnout ends many careers after a few years, Carsey has been able to persist.
“It comes in waves, and it does for everyone,” she said. “You feel it for a while, and then you have to move on.”
“I think you learn quickly in this job that you have to let things go,” she said.
She tries to not be overwhelmed by worry for the children and concern for her staff of 35. Over the years, it has helped that Sandi could turn to her husband, retired police officer Alan Carsey. Without sharing specific details, “We could vent to each other about stuff,” she said.
The backlash in the media about child protection decisions can add to the stress, she said.
“It wears on you after a while, reading all that stuff,” she said. “There are very rarely positive stories for protective services.”
“I won’t miss the politics that go into the job,” she said.
But Carsey leaves the job knowing she and her staff did their best for children.
“I hope people remember I wanted the best for them – even if they didn’t think I did,” she said.
As for Carsey’s replacement, longtime colleague Brandy Laux has been selected to move into the administrator’s seat.
As she retires, Carsey is looking forward to spending more time with her children Seth and Camden and their spouses, and especially grandchildren, Jones and Leanna. She plans to continue serving on the volunteer board at the Children’s Resource Center, and will keep herself open to other volunteer opportunities.
“When I started, I was going to work here for two years and move on to bigger and better things,” Carsey said. But she never found anything bigger or better. “I found that Wood County was a great place to work.”
