Amber Williams, the CEO of Janus of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit working to combat substance use disorder, has been named a Steinberg Institute Champion.
The Steinberg Institute, a public policy organization aiming to improve and transform California’s mental health and substance use treatment systems, is unveiling one “champion” in each week of May as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. It is highlighting a group of California-based advocates, service providers and professionals who are working to transform the behavioral health landscape throughout the state.
The institute named Williams a champion for being a “driving force in developing community-based alternatives to incarceration in Santa Cruz County.”
A press release pointed to Janus’ development of the county’s sobering center connected to the Santa Cruz County Jail, which allows a low-barrier entry point to substance abuse treatment and mental health services, while routing people away from the justice system and toward long-term support, housing and care.
