ADABI Chinle Shelter Faces Funding, Operational Strains; Advocates Demand Accountability

ADABI, Chinle’s primary domestic-violence and sexual-assault shelter, is operating under acute financial and logistical strain after a coalition of shelters told the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee of the 24th Navajo Nation Council that none had received payments from the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services. Coalition members said the funding gap has compelled emergency hires, bulk purchases and longer victim transports that undermine service continuity.

On March 5, 2026, representatives from Battered Families Services, Amá Dóó Áłchíní Bíghan, Inc. (ADABI), Roberta’s Place Inc., and the Tohdinasshai Committee Against Family Abuse delivered a report to the HEHSC supported by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. Coalition spokesperson Halwood summarized the timing problem: "The funding is supposed to start on October 1st. Last year, we got our first check on April 24th, and we have just a few months to spend it." Halwood added that those delays increase pressure to expend budgets quickly by "performing emergency hires or buying supplies by the bulk."

Operational consequences described to the committee include extended transports to other shelters and to agencies outside the Chinle Agency. Coalition testimony said staff routinely shuttle victims between the Chinle shelter and Kayenta or Shiprock shelters and have driven victims to the FBI office in Flagstaff, producing return trips "lasting beyond 9:00 PM." Rise4me’s ADABI profile notes the program "serves an average of 35-45 victims per month and provides many hours of transportation, emergency motel stays, meals and ceremonial services for victims," highlighting the fuel, food and overtime costs tied to those journeys.

Shelter leaders and council advisers also blamed administrative bottlenecks. Ellison told the committee that "at this point in time, it seems like the funding payment process goes between 25 to 30 different steps," and urged a review: the recommendation was to "review and overhaul the 164 review process and transition to an electronic filing system." Chairman Tso told the committee that the decision to change the grant structure rests with the Division of Social Services with input from the Office of the Controller.

ADABI’s long-standing role in the Chinle Agency is documented in state and advocacy listings: founded in 1989, the program’s mission is to "promotes prevention of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence while fostering safety and healing," and its vision is "A community where everyone lives violence free and spiritually whole lives." AzDHS lists ADABI’s Chinle location as Highway U.S. 191, half a mile west of Chinle Jr. High School, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 1279, Chinle, AZ 86503 and an admin line at 928-674-8314. VictimsVoice lists a 24-hour hotline at 928-674-2111/2112; AzDHS lists Chinle PHS Emergency Room after-hours contact at 928-674-7090 and outreach numbers in Tsaile at 928-724-6903 and Pinon at 928-309-9936.

Shelter directors and advocates told the HEHSC that timelier federal grant disbursements and a streamlined 164 review process, including electronic filing, are essential to sustain the roughly 35-45 monthly clients ADABI serves and to avoid further operational shortcuts. The committee heard that without faster payments from the Division of Social Services, shelters will continue to face staffing, supply and transport shortfalls that directly affect survivors across the Chinle Agency and surrounding parts of Apache County.