Governor Gavin Newsom has announced funding for new mental health and substance use disorder treatment centers in Watsonville, aiming to improve access to care across the Central Coast. Janus of Santa Cruz, a private nonprofit that has provided treatment services for fifty years, is undertaking two major projects to address the critical need for more treatment programs a center for women and children and a new treatment facility for men.Janus recently acquired the Rodeway Inn in Watsonville, with plans to transform it into a treatment center for men. Located centrally on West Lake Avenue, just off Highway One, the hotel will undergo extensive renovations, including new windows, HVAC systems, and lighting. The first floor will be completely remodeled to include a clinic and public spaces. Once completed, the facility will offer a combination of residential and outpatient services, all funded by state grants.”The governor awarded us enough money to basically turn this hotel into a regional hub for care. One-stop shopping, a 120-bed men’s facility, a 220-slot narcotic treatment program, an outpatient program, a ten-bed sobering center for law enforcement. So really one big hub,” said Amber Williams, Janus CEO. The goal is to open in September 2027.Janus is also on track to open its new perinatal center in Watsonville later this year. “This will expand access and care to women and children and families that need it the most,” Williams said. She emphasized the importance of substance abuse disorder services, especially for women who are stigmatized, including those who are pregnant, parenting, or postpartum and need to access care.The 25-bed center aims to keep families together while mothers navigate recovery. For Williams, the mission is personal, as she lost her father to alcoholism and now dedicates her life to helping others. “I would love to work myself out of a mission, but I don’t see that in the foreseeable future. So our goal is to deliver the best care possible to our community and the people who need it the most,” she said.Together, these two centers will significantly improve access to treatment across the Central Coast.
WATSONVILLE, Calif. —
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced funding for new mental health and substance use disorder treatment centers in Watsonville, aiming to improve access to care across the Central Coast. Janus of Santa Cruz, a private nonprofit that has provided treatment services for fifty years, is undertaking two major projects to address the critical need for more treatment programs
a center for women and children and a new treatment facility for men.
Janus recently acquired the Rodeway Inn in Watsonville, with plans to transform it into a treatment center for men.
Located centrally on West Lake Avenue, just off Highway One, the hotel will undergo extensive renovations, including new windows, HVAC systems, and lighting.
The first floor will be completely remodeled to include a clinic and public spaces. Once completed, the facility will offer a combination of residential and outpatient services, all funded by state grants.
“The governor awarded us enough money to basically turn this hotel into a regional hub for care. One-stop shopping, a 120-bed men’s facility, a 220-slot narcotic treatment program, an outpatient program, a ten-bed sobering center for law enforcement. So really one big hub,” said Amber Williams, Janus CEO. The goal is to open in September 2027.
Janus is also on track to open its new perinatal center in Watsonville later this year.
“This will expand access and care to women and children and families that need it the most,” Williams said.
She emphasized the importance of substance abuse disorder services, especially for women who are stigmatized, including those who are pregnant, parenting, or postpartum and need to access care.
The 25-bed center aims to keep families together while mothers navigate recovery. For Williams, the mission is personal, as she lost her father to alcoholism and now dedicates her life to helping others.
“I would love to work myself out of a mission, but I don’t see that in the foreseeable future. So our goal is to deliver the best care possible to our community and the people who need it the most,” she said.
Together, these two centers will significantly improve access to treatment across the Central Coast.