The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services program received funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice to support transportation assistance for individuals released from custody, according to a June 1 announcement. The initiative aims to help people in rural Navajo County return safely to their homes or support systems after release, addressing logistical and mental health needs that can arise when individuals have no means of travel.
Navajo County spans approximately 10,000 square miles, making transportation a significant challenge for those leaving jail with limited resources. The program provided $5,000 in community reinvestment funds from AZ Blue Health Choice between May 2025 and March 2026. During this period, the funding enabled the distribution of 70 local transit passes and bus or taxi assistance for 36 individuals. According to the data shared by the Sheriff’s Office, about 92% of people booked into county custody are released back into the community—often without reliable transportation—which increases their risk of reoffending out of desperation rather than intent.
The Reentry Services Transportation Assistance Program offers various forms of support including local bus passes, Greyhound tickets for long-distance travel, taxi rides, and short motel stays while arranging further travel. The program also provides immediate shelter and connects participants with community resources as needed. Real-life examples highlighted include a veteran who was assisted in returning home to Tulsa after being stranded in Holbrook, and an eighteen-year-old woman who received temporary lodging and transit support so she could fly home after being left without belongings or means to contact her family.
Lieutenant Charlie Perkins said, “Thanks to the support of AZ Blue Health Choice, these funds help ensure the safety of justice-involved individuals by helping them reach a secure place with resources and support, and they strengthen community safety by reducing the likelihood that people who feel trapped reoffend out of desperation.”
Between May 2025 and March 2026, $4,270.82 was used from the grant for transit passes or travel assistance benefitting men and women aged between eighteen and seventy-eight years old; eight recipients had significant mobility challenges requiring additional care both during custody and upon release.
According to the official website, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce bolsters Flagstaff communities by fostering economic development through partnerships with stakeholders across northern Arizona.
