Coconino News

More pregnant women in Arizona who are recovering from substance use disorder now have new avenues of support. A recent program offers housing, healthcare, and job training, courtesy of a $700,000 donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice to Roya Health Foundation. This initiative provides free housing for women as they seek to improve their health, acquire parenting skills, and secure employment.

Dr. Heather Carter, Medicaid Segment General Manager and Health Choice of Arizona CEO, emphasized the overarching goal: “Recovery isn’t just about treatment, it’s about a second chance. By working with Roya Health, we are making sure these women have the support they need to move forward.”

The program offers safe housing, regular medical checkups, mental health counseling, job training, and classes in childbirth and parenting. The need for such services is pronounced, as 1 in 5 Arizona mothers do not receive adequate prenatal care, and many women in recovery face unstable housing situations. Early intervention can prevent complications at birth and promote long-term health benefits.

John McNeal, Chief of Staff for Roya Health, highlighted the broader impact: “These homes will give women a safe space to focus on their health, rebuild their lives, and prepare for their baby’s future. For many, this kind of support has already changed lives. Women in similar programs have gone on to reconnect with family, find jobs, and create stable homes.”

Dr. Sara Salek, Chief Medical Officer for Roya Health, noted the importance of early care: “The most critical time to impact the health of the human trajectory is prenatally and in early childhood, forming secure attachments and self-regulation that carryover into a healthy adulthood.”

AZ Blue Health Choice is pleased to back Roya Health's efforts to aid Arizona mothers in recovery. Further information about Roya Health and its program can be found at: [https://www.roya.health/](https://www.roya.health/).