School of Social Work

Counties Served by the Pathway Program

Counties served by the Pathway Program

CSU, Chico

CSU, HumboldtCSU, San Bernardino

Butte

Del Norte>Inyo
ColusaHumboldtRiverside
GlennMendocinoSan Bernadino
Lake  
Lassen  
Modoc  
Plumas  
Shasta  
Siskiyou  
Sutter  
Tehama  
Trinity  
Yuba  

The service area of the School of Social Work at California State University covers the 12 Northeastern California counties (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba). This region is unique in that there are no large cities (CSUC, Center of Economic Development, 1999). The service area counties are composed predominantly of small cities and towns with large areas of rural countryside. The “North State,” as our region is termed, covers an area the size of Ohio (44,828 square miles), and has many rural areas where there are distinct needs (McNall, 2004). Within this area, there are 18 federally recognized tribes and rancherias in the targeted counties which include the following:

  • Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria in Butte County,
  • Cortina Indian Rancheria of Wintun Indians in Colusa County,
  • Grindstone Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians in Glenn County,
  • Susanville Rancheria in Lassen County,
  • Pit River Tribe in Modoc County,
  • Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians in Plumas County,
  • Karuk Tribe of California in Siskiyou County,
  • Redding Rancheria in Shasta County, and
  • Quartz Valley Indian Community of the Quartz Valley Reservation in Siskiyou County.

During spring 2009, CSU, Chico conducted a survey of these counties to investigate the needs of county employers, employees, and three community colleges needed to create an infrastructure that will enable individuals who are interested in a career in public child welfare to pursue a BSW and/or MSW degree. Connections were established with community colleges, and 12 counties in the area were assessed on agency and individual interest in higher education and have the requirements to begin an undergraduate degree.