A substance abuse treatment program for pregnant women and new mothers will soon have a new home in downtown Santa Cruz.

Janus of Santa Cruz is partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Club to remodel a 100-year-old house at 516 Chestnut St. Slated to open Sept. 1, the five-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot Victorian will house 10 women as they undergo a state licensed short-term substance abuse treatment program.

"We may look like we're a long way from moving in, but we're actually on time," said Linda Jones, executive director of Janus.

It took Janus a year to find a new site, which they purchased in May. Construction with Habitat for Humanity began a month later.

The 15-20 person crew of volunteers from Habitat have so far worked full days to make sure the facility is ready in time, according to Jones.

Longtime volunteer Beth Silcott called this project "a whole new challenge."

"Habitat is used to building something new," she said, but added that it has given her an opportunity to do a little bit of everything.

"I built my first wall," said the retired nurse. "After years of nursing, it's definitely something different. It gives me a chance to get out, I just love it."

Regular Habitat for Humanity volunteers with construction expertise are heading the bulk of the project, said Jones, and are overseen by Mike Bethke, who is serving as a volunteer project manager.

The interior is painted with green and yellow tones to "bring light and calmness to dark areas" and promote a healing atmosphere, she said.

"Our last place was a facility, this is a home," said Jones.

The process takes anywhere from three to six months, said Jones, depending on the client's progression through the program phases. During that time they must remain clean and sober, said Jones. The house will be staffed by the Santa Cruz Alcohol and Drug Program Administration around the clock.

"This is the only program of its type in the North County," she said, referring to the program's emphasis on child care and parenting support.

Janus' Perinatal Treatment Program serves women who are pregnant or parenting young children up to age 3. The intensive treatment includes group, individual, family and educational therapies, with the goal of supporting both the woman and child in recovery.

Specific to chemical dependency, the program also allows for treatment of coexisting physical or psychiatric conditions that could jeopardize recovery. In the last eight months, 12 women in the program gave birth to alcohol- and drug-free babies.

For information, call Janus at 462-1060, e-mail info@janussc.org or visit www.janussc.org.