OROVILLE — Shelby Boston spent eight years as Butte County’s director of employment and social services, all the while building a strong network with colleagues.
But if one were to have asked her as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have said doctor.
“I always loved medicine,” Boston said. “So that was what I imagined either a doctor, a nurse or a veterinarian. I actually worked as a vet tech in college.”
Needless to say, Boston’s journey to heading one of the largest Butte County government departments was a winding one — but one with a clear evolution from her young goals to now as she takes her experience to Sacramento County as its new director of the Department of Child, Family and Adult Services.
Still considering medicine, Boston moved to Chico in 1992 with the goal of becoming a nurse. Upon taking an internship, Boston saw the first shift in her path as she changed her major from pre-nursing to health sciences and community health education.
“That was where I sparked my interest (in health sciences),” Boston said. “I had to do an internship with Youth for Change, where I did health education for foster youth.”
Boston said the experience helped her develop a passion for social work and ultimately provided her first encounter with the county.
“That was where I got my toes wet in social work,” Boston said. “They had just received a contract from the county, and I was asked to be a case manager with Youth for Change.”
In 1995, Boston began working with foster family agencies and was assigned to both Butte and Yuba counties before taking on a full-time position with Butte County in 1998 as a social worker, where she did forensic interviewing with both the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney.
She took a brief hiatus from social work to study microbiology before returning as a social worker but moved to Modoc County after her husband received a promotion with Cal Fire. It was there she ran a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter.
At the time, however, Boston said, she was in the midst of a high-risk pregnancy and her doctor suggested she, her husband and their son move to a more populated area. They opted to move to Shasta County where she worked in Child Protective Services for six months.
“I missed Butte County so much that I convinced my husband to move back to Butte,” Boston said. “I went to grad school at Chico State to get my master of social work degree, and I was promoted (in Butte County) a month later to analyst.”
Not long after in 2016, Boston was promoted again — this time to her long-time director position.
Butte County Chief Administrative Officer Andy Pickett commented on Boston’s skills and ethics during her time with the county.
“Shelby defines what a public servant should be: dedicated, caring, and resourceful. She is driven by a deep desire to help people and improve the community,” Pickett said. “It doesn’t matter what area she’s working on — children’s issues, employment, housing, or emergencies — she fully immerses herself and works tirelessly to address the subject.”
Heading a department
With eight years of heading the Department of Employment and Social Services for Butte County, Boston found numerous ways to put her strengths to use.
“I started as a social worker with a desire to serve the community,” Boston said. “Early on in my career, I shared with my supervisors what my professional goals were. Years later, I found myself in the position I aspired to be as the director.
“I was able to accomplish that goal because I found amazing mentors and leaders who were willing to help me and guide me in achieving my goals. My hope is that every public servant offers that same guidance and mentorship to other colleagues.”
Like with most of her contemporary Butte County department heads, Boston’s years leading her department were met with turmoil on multiple levels. Boston worked through the Camp Fire and all subsequent Butte County fires as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. These events caused a string of undo pressure on local governments to provide services, often with a shortage of employees.
“The hardest part of the job as director in Butte was having enough time to meet the needs of the public, staff and recovery efforts,” Boston said. “As you know, Butte has been so heavily impacted by numerous natural disasters, which put a tremendous workload on DESS.”
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Meegan Jessee recalled Boston’s work during the Camp Fire and its impact on the community as a result.
“I had the pleasure of working in close proximity to her during the Camp Fire, and her dedication during that time was something I will never forget — and it particularly stands out for me given that she was personally impacted by the fire; her husband was working the fire and she had kids at home,” Jessee said.
Boston lost her home in the Camp Fire and was displaced like many.
“She was burned out of Paradise while overseeing our mass care and sheltering, raising a family, serving as a board member on (the Paradise Irrigation District), supporting a spouse who was with Cal Fire and dealing with life-changing transitions with a parent,” said Supervisor Tami Ritter.
One of Boston’s skills that’s remained useful throughout her career, especially once in the role of director, was her ability to form bonds with people.
“The most important thing I learned about the position was the importance of relationships,” Boston said. “In Butte we were able to accomplish herculean tasks because of the tightknit community of service providers and stakeholders. The relationships within the County family of sister agencies and the dedicated staff were key to overcoming many obstacles.”
Scott Kennelly, Butte County director of Behavioral Health, worked with Boston frequently and spoke on her leadership.
“Behavioral Health and DESS have had many collaborative projects between our two departments,” he said. “I know Shelby has been an inspiration to others and is also a fearless leader. Her willingness to go to bat with the state and others to advocate for needed changes in Child Welfare has been remarkable.
“I have watched her grow and develop her department over the years and have been very impressed with how knowledgeable, fearless and hardworking she is.”
Going forward
Boston officially began her new job in January and noted that she already knew many of her new team members as well as the previous director, for whom Boston said she had a great deal of respect. The move has proven to be fortuitous in more ways than one.
“My youngest son is attending Sacramento State; my mom has Alzheimer’s and is in memory care, so we’re now able to move my mom back closer to where I grew up to be near family and friends,” Boston said.
Boston’s oldest son is in the Army, and her husband recently retired from Cal Fire. She added that all of the men in her family have served in the military for four generations. She grew up as an Air Force kid, Boston said.
Kennelly, Boston’s longtime colleague, spoke highly of what he believes for Boston’s future.
“While Shelby and I have worked closely together over the years at work, I also consider her a good friend and know Butte County’s loss is Sacramento’s gain,” Kennelly said. “I am sure she will continue to lead with passion and purpose while working in Sacramento.”
Ritter provided a recommendation for Boston but noted that she would be missed by Butte County.
“I knew that any hiring team worth their salt wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to hire her, but her work spoke for itself,” Ritter said. “She’s a consummate professional. She is competent, capable and a warrior for the people she is serving.”
While Boston said she’s excited for the move, she will always have positive connotations of Butte County.
“Butte is a very special place,” Boston said.” It is the perfect size county. It is large enough to have resources and small enough to personally know people within the county system.
“That is unique and special. I am forever grateful for the amazing relationships I was able to form and staff I was fortunate to work alongside of.”
Source: Paradise Post
