Janus Women and Families Recovery Center
Janus of Santa Cruz offers specialized programs to support pregnant, postpartum and parenting women with substance abuse disorders - and their children - throughout the recovery process. We are here to help you and your family get healthy, together.
The new Janus Women and Families Recovery Center / Centro de Recuperación de Mujeres y Familias in Watsonville will address the lack of culturally sensitive treatment options available in this primarily Latinx community. This includes expanding services in the appropriate language and cultural context, and ensuring that outreach and services reach women with a heightened risk of pregnancy-related death.
Unique Services
Offered by Janus
Janus provides the only clinically managed residential withdrawal management setting (ASAM 3.2) in Santa Cruz County, specifically designed for perinatal and parenting individuals in partnership with local hospitals. We also offer the only residential treatment center (ASAM 3.5) with 10 beds dedicated to perinatal and parenting people in the county.
Recent Achievements
and Grants
Janus was recently awarded a Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) facilities grant. This grant will fund the construction of a new 25-bed residential treatment center for women (who can live with their children up to ages 11 on site) in Watsonville, set to open in early 2026.
The new Janus Women and Families Recovery Center / Centro de Recuperación de Mujeres y Familias will address the significant need for treatment beds, especially for Latinx women in the community.
National and Local
Impact of SUD
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Columbia University researchers reported an 81% increase in overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum individuals from 2017 to 2020. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2022 showed that mental health conditions, including SUDs, account for 23% of deaths during pregnancy or the year following.
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Locally, 28.5% of Janus’s residential treatment clients tested positive for opioids in 2021. The surge in fentanyl-related deaths underscores the growing need for expanded treatment services
Specialized Perinatal and Postnatal Care
Medically Supervised Withdrawal Management:
A four-six bed unit is dedicated to managing withdrawal for pregnant and parenting women.
On-Site Living for Children: The facility allows children to live on-site with their mothers through age 11, creating a supportive environment for recovery and bonding.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Access to MAT, including methadone services, helps support women through recovery during and after pregnancy.
Parenting Education and Support: Programs like the 3P’s Parenting Groups and other newborn, toddler, and early childhood education screenings providing referrals and support to help parents build strong healthy relationships with their children.
Trauma-Informed Services: All team members are trained to provide trauma-informed services and behavioral health screenings for co-occurring disorders to women and their families.
Supplemental Services for Children: Timely pediatric care, FAS/NAS education, connections to schools and educational services, counseling, and comprehensive social services are also provided.
Goals and Objectives for Enhanced Care
Goal 1
Enhance best practices related to integrated medical and behavioral health team SUD treatment. Objectives include ensuring all residential clients have access to weekly SUD medical follow-ups, offering HCV/HIV/STI counseling and testing, and implementing a customized nutrition curriculum for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women in SUD/COD treatment.
Goal 2
Enhance best practices related to mental health and trauma-informed care for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Objectives include strengthening services for clients with co-occurring disorders, increasing on-site childcare hours, and training staff in interactive journaling and trauma-informed care.
Benefits of Integrated Care
Cost Savings:
Investing in maternal health and SUD treatment reduces long-term healthcare costs associated with preterm births, complications, and chronic health issues.
Improved Health Outcomes:
Better health outcomes for clients and children through integrated medical and behavioral health care lead to long-term economic benefits for the community.
Grant Funding Support:
Grant funding will support the cost of MAT medications and medical provider visits for those in custody who need to begin MAT treatment.