Perinatal Recovery & Shame-Free Care

Amber Williams came to Janus of Santa Cruz as a patient before she ever ran it — a teen mom with a newborn, redirected from a private facility when her insurance ran out. Twenty years later, she's the CEO of one of Santa Cruz County's most comprehensive substance use disorder treatment organizations, serving more than 2,500 clients annually across a full continuum of care that includes a perinatal program, sobering services, withdrawal management, and residential treatment. Under her leadership, Janus has held a single North Star: every decision starts with what's best for the person walking through the door. That means building environments where dignity and high expectations are simply part of the care, regardless of who's paying. This year, Janus opens its first major infrastructure project, a new 25-bed perinatal facility, built on the conviction that mothers and children in recovery deserve the same level of investment as anyone else.