CARES

CWS-CARES Production Simulation – Please Review & Refine User Permissions by 05/01/2026 

CARES SPOCs, Technical Contacts, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

Following the CWS-CARES Production Simulation – Please Identify Initial Users communication sent last Monday, April 20, 2026, the new County User Permissions spreadsheets are now available in the CWS-CARES User Onboarding Preparation Microsoft Teams channel.  

These lists contain all active and inactive CWS/CMS users for both Child Welfare and Probation to facilitate conversion for Production Simulation roles and permissions. Please note that these updates apply only to Production Simulation; a future activity will be conducted to confirm all roles and permissions for the final CWS-CARES Production environment prior to Go-Live. 

Access to the CWS-CARES User Onboarding Preparation Microsoft Teams channel is currently limited to CWS-CARES SPOCs and those that requested access last week. If you need access, please contact the Identity Access Management (IAM) Team at otsicwdscaresorgiamteam@otsi.ca.gov .  

Here are the basic steps to validate legacy CWS/CMS permissions to the new CWS-CARES. 

  1. Validate Primary Office & Mapping: Review the matrix to ensure the assigned Primary Office is correct. Verify that the Permission Sets mapped from CWS/CMS to CWS-CARES accurately reflect the user's needs. 
  1. Assign Net-New Permissions: Review the list of permissions unique to CWS-CARES (those with no legacy equivalent). Determine which staff members require these new permission sets and update the roster accordingly. 

To accurately review the spreadsheets, please keep these system logic changes in mind: 

  1. Permissions Snapshot: All information reflects CWS/CMS production data as of March 11, 2026
  1. Permission Hierarchy 
  • Consolidated Permissions: Unlike CWS/CMS, CWS-CARES does not require multiple overlapping permissions. Higher-level access (e.g., County Read/Write) automatically overrides lower levels (Office or Unit). If a user has County, Office, and Unit access, CWS-CARES will only assign the highest level (County). 
  • Discontinued Roles: "Unit Read" and "Unit Read/Write" roles no longer exist in in CWS-CARES. 
  1. Role Determination 
  • Supervisor vs. Worker: If a user has an "S" (Supervisor) designation in any Staff Person Unit Authority record, they are automatically mapped to Supervisor permissions in CWS-CARES. Otherwise, they default to Worker
  • Functional Mapping: The CWS/CMS Case Management role to CWS-CARES Hotline, ER, and Case Management modules. 
  1. Active User Definition: A "null" end date in the Staff Person screen does not guarantee an active account. A user is only considered Active if they have a valid Log On ID and a record in the USER_ID table. Users end-dated during recent cleanup exercises (90+ days of inactivity) will be migrated to CWS-CARES as Inactive. (see below) 

  • In CWS/CMS, an active user has a blank End Date field (see below) 

Report Column References 

Use this guide to navigate the "County_User Permissions" spreadsheet: 

Column Name 

Description / Logic 

CWS-CMS Staff Person Id 

The unique ID migrated from the CWS legacy system 

First Name 

User's first name 

Last Name 

User's last name 

Email 

User's organization or county email address 

Start Date 

The date the user originally started in the system 

End Date 

If blank (null), the user is still technically active in the system 

User Status 

Active/Inactive. Requires a record in USER_ID and a USER_ID_LAST_ACCESS entry 

  • Logic: If Staff Person exist in USER_ID table, If no entry in USER_ID_LAST_ACCESS, then INACTIVE. if END_DATE is null then ACTIVE,  Else INACTIVE. If Staff Person does not exist in USER_ID table, then INACTIVE. 
  • An active Staff Person does not mean Active User, they need an active Log On ID. See screen captures below. 

County 

The user's assigned County 

Primary Office 

Action Required: Please verify this assignment, as CWS-CARES relies on the Primary Office concept. 

10 

CWS-CMS Privileges 

A comprehensive list of all existing user permissions in CWS/CMS 

11 

CWS-CARES Profile 

Base profile before permissions are assigned. (Currently being consolidated into "caresstaff") 

12 

CWS-CARES Role 

Worker or Supervisor. Logic: If any of the staff Person Unit Authority records for the user is "S" (Supervisor) then this user gets Supervisor level Permissions Else Worker Level Permissions. 

13 

CWS-CARES Permission 

Permissions successfully mapped directly from CWS/CMS privileges. 

14 

CWS-CARES Override Access 

Includes State, County, or Office Read/Write, and Sealed/Sensitive access. 

15 

CWS-CARES Other Override Access 

Includes Closed Edit access, Approval Authority, and Transfer Authority. 

16 

CWS-CARES Office Wide Read Override 

The specific office where the user has "Office-wide Read" access. 

17 

CWS-CARES Office Wide Read-Write Override 

The specific office where the user has "Office-wide Read/Write" access. 

18 

CWS-CARES Administrating Offices 

The office(s) assigned to a user acting as an Office Administrator. 

 Next Steps for Counties and Organizations 

  1. Access your specific county user roster from the Teams channel. 
  1. Review and confirm the accuracy of all mapped roles. 
  1. Make any necessary changes or corrections to existing mappings.  
  1. Add new users and their new CWS-CARES-specific permissions to the spreadsheet. 
  • Edit Options: You may make changes directly to the spreadsheet within Teams, or download a copy, rename it, and upload the updated version. 
  1. By May 1, 2026 (COB): Please submit your finalized list and any net-new permission requests.  
  • Note: If no changes are made by this date, we will automatically add your entire existing county list. By May 4, 2026, we will complete the user provisioning for the V1 Readiness environment, and these users will receive the elevated access levels used during EUST3. 
  1. May 8, 2026 (COB): Final deadline for updates. We will pull this final version to onboard users to production simulation over the May 22nd weekend for the May 26,2026, launch, which will include real data, offices, units, caseloads, and permissions. 

Action Required

Please complete the tasks above by the deadlines noted. Please contact the team at OTSICWDSDataConversion@otsi.ca.gov for any questions.

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - April 27, 2026

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

In this Weekly Digest:

  • Reminder: Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7
  • Follow Our Progress: The CWS-CARES High Level Roadmap is Now Updated
  • CARES Explorer April 2026 Issue Now Available
  • Thank You for Ordering Items at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop!
  • CWS-CARES Core Constituent DemonstrationsConclude
  • CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

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Reminder: Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7

We encourage you to attend the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing on May 27, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PMAll stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership. 

Register now atCWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7 | RegistrationNote: A separate calendar invitation will not be sent by the CWS-CARES Project. Please manually add the .ics attachment in the registration confirmation email to your calendar. 

The full agenda for the May 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7 Registration page. Updates will include: 

  • Implementation 
  • Extended User Scenario Testing 3 
  • Production Simulation 
  • Resource Family Approval (RFA) Portal Demonstration 

View the dates for all upcoming CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefings in 2026 on the Stakeholder Briefings and Webinars page on the CWDS website. 

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on May 27, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES. 

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Follow Our Progress: The CWS-CARES High Level Roadmap is Now Updated

The CWS-CARES High Level Roadmap has been updated to include the 2026 timelines for Production Simulation and Training. The roadmap provides a broad view of the activities planned ahead of CWS-CARES Go-Live and information about the CWS-CARES Version 1 scope.  

View the updated roadmap on the CWDS Website: CWS-CARES High Level Roadmap - Updated April 2026

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CARES Explorer April 2026 Issue Now Available

We are pleased to present  Volume 3, Issue 2 of the CARES Explorer, the long‑form newsletter published every other month! For the best experience, please open the link using the Microsoft Edge browser. This issue includes the following topics: 

Project Updates:  

  • Upcoming Activities at CWS-CARES 
  • Production Simulation 
  • Stakeholder Briefing #6 Recap and Briefing #7 Registration Information 

Explore CWS-CARES:  

  • Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3 Concludes 
  • Kin-GAP Demonstration Highlights 
  • Implementation Corner:  
  • Spotlight on Sonoma County 

Implementation Corner:  

  • Spotlight on Sonoma County 
  • Updated Implementation Approach Highlights 

We recommend that you share this newsletter with all staff impacted by the changes coming with CWS-CARES. All previous issues of the CARES Explorer and CARES Compass are available to view on the CWDS website: CARES Compass/Explorer | Child Welfare Digital Services. 

View the articles from all issues of the CARES Explorer in the CWS-CARES Public Library, a searchable, sharable repository of information related to CWS-CARES. The Public Library is available on the CWDS website on the Resources for CWS-CARES Users page. 

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Thank You for Ordering Items at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop! 

The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 closed on Friday, April 24, 2026 with 7,400+ items ordered. Thank you for showing your support for CWS-CARES! Review the FAQs below for what to expect: 

Item Status 

All items except the Econo Cap have met the minimum order totals for production. If you ordered the Econo Cap, it will be removed from your order and not charged

When to Expect Your Items 

There is a 3-week processing time for producing items. Shipping times are dependent on the shipping method selected at checkout. For more information on item processing and shipping, please review the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 FAQs

Will There be More Pop-Up Shops? 

Yes! The next Pop-Up Shop is scheduled for September 2026, featuring a new selection of CWS-CARES-branded items. Request merchandise for the next Pop-Up Shop by completing a 1-minute survey: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop Merch Ideas

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CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations Conclude

As of mid-April, the CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstration series has concluded. Recordings previous demonstrations are available to view on the CWDS website at: CWS-CARES Product Demonstrations. Please note, a log in is required to view all recordings. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and provided feedback! 

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CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

Each week, we highlight a common question from counties and partner organizations, along with a clear, practical answer to  help you better understand CWS-CARES functionality.  

April 27, 2026, FAQ of the Week: 

Q: Can you upload a document to the competency evaluation? (e.g., if someone is receiving methadone treatment and their provider writes a letter—currently these are saved elsewhere; can they be uploaded?). 

A: Yes. In the Adoption case for a relinquishment, users can document whether a competency evaluation is required and, if applicable, provide a narrative explanation. Users can also record details such as the provider name, date received, and decision. Supporting documentation (e.g., a provider letter) can be uploaded in the Documents section under the Adoptions category using the Relinquishment document type. 

To view all of the CWS-CARES FAQs, please visit the CWDS Website: CWS-CARES FAQs | CWDS Website. Have a question?  Send it to Customer Relations at  CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov and we’ll be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe 

Thank you for following our progress! Share your feedback on this CWS-CARES Weekly Digest here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Feedback Form. Subscribe to future issues here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Subscription Form.  

Action Required

We request that all CWS-CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) and Implementation Coordinators coordinate and distribute the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to all staff impacted by CWS-CARES, at their discretion.

CWS-CARES Implementation Update: Timeline and Implementation Lead Assignments 

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

As we move closer to the statewide launch of CWS-CARES this October, we want to provide you with an update on our implementation roadmap and the team dedicated to supporting your organizations through this transition. 

Attached are the Implementation Lead (IL) Assignments and a high-level timeline encompassing key activities across Implementation, Organizational Change Management (OCM), and Training. This overview outlines the major milestones leading up to our Go-Live, with a focus on the following upcoming phases: 

  • Train-the-Trainer/Super Users training: We are combining Train-the-Trainer and Super User sessions into a single, streamlined curriculum. Starting in late June 2026, multiple sessions will be offered throughout an eight-week window to accommodate schedules. 
  • End User Instructor-Led Training: Beginning in August 2026, leading up to the CWS-CARES Version Go-Live in October 2026. 

The team is currently working on the detailed plans for these activities, and we look forward to sharing more information with you in May. 

With the successful restart of our monthly Implementation Readiness meetings on April 13, 2026 we have confirmed interim Implementation Lead (IL) assignments for both Child Welfare and Probation. Please find the current assignment roster attached. 

As we continue to onboard resources and assess the specific needs of each organization, please note that there may be further adjustments to these assignments in June. These updates will ensure that every partner receives the dedicated support required for a successful transition. 

We appreciate your ongoing partnership as we continue to prepare for these significant milestones. 

Action Required:  
No action is required.

Last Chance to Order – CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop Closes This Friday!

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

We are in the final stretch of the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 which closes at the end of this week. We’ve received 24 orders to date, but we have 11 items that are currently "at risk" of cancellation because they haven't met the minimum order requirements yet.

To ensure your preferred items are produced, please order by Friday, April 17.

Place your order here: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2.

For more information about the shop and ordering process, visit our FAQ page: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 | FAQs.

We still need orders for:

  • Hanes® Cotton T-Shirts & Dade Polos (Men’s/Women’s)
  • Low-Profile Caps & Non-Woven Tote Bags
  • Recycled Tumblers & Cavetto Ceramic Mugs
  • Notebooks, Pens, Stickers, and Buttons

If minimums aren't met, items are cancelled and not charged.

Please share this email and flyer with anyone who may be interested in placing an order. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the CWS-CARES project!

Action Required

No action required.

If you have any questions, need clarification, or have any accessibility issues, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov.

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - April 13, 2026

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

In this Weekly Digest:

  • One Week Left to Purchase from the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop!
  • Registration Now Open for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7
  • Updated Environment Matrix for User Access
  • CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.10 Now Available
  • CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations
  • CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

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One Week Left to Purchase from the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop!

There’s still time to order from the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2! The shop will remain open until end of day on Friday, April 17, 2026. Place your orders at: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 | Order Now.

The shop is open to all 58 California counties, Tribes, and partner organizations. CWS-CARES branded items are available for purchase using your own funds. For ordering and shipping details, please reference the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 FAQs and Item Preview document.

Please contact CWDS Customer Relations with any questions. Happy shopping!

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Registration Now Open for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7

We encourage you to attend the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing on May 27, 2026! Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7 | RegistrationNote: A separate calendar invitation will not be sent by the CWS-CARES Project. Please manually add the .ics attachment in the registration confirmation email to your calendar.

All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership. The full agenda for the May 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #7 | Registration page. Updates will include:

  • Implementation
  • Extended User Scenario Testing 3
  • Production Simulation
  • Resource Family Approval (RFA) Portal Demonstration

All materials from the March 25, 2026 Stakeholder Briefing #6, including the session recording, presentation slides, and Q&A summary, are now available on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefings page on the CWDS website.

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on May 27, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

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Updated Environment Matrix for User Access

Looking to better understand the different CWS-CARES environments? The CWS-CARES Project has developed multiple environments to support testing, training, and readiness activities, each designed for a specific purpose and user group. The Environment Matrix provides an overview of their intended use, access, and availability.

Please note that this is a point-in-time resource located on the CWS-CARES User Resources Webpage on the CWDS website, and information is subject to change as the Project progresses.

View the CWS-CARES Environment Matrix here: WS-CARES Environments for User Access

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CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.10 Now Available

The CWS-CARES Data Dictionary V0.10 is now available on the Microsoft Teams Channel: CARES Data Dictionary under Shared as of Monday, April 13, 2026. Check the Intro tab of the CWS-CARES Data Dictionary for the detailed list of updates included in the new version. Highlights included in V0.10:

  • CDI Legacy Mapping Layer tab has been renamed to Legacy Mapping Layer
  • Alignment of Legacy Mapping Layer tab objects with the CWS_CMS-CARES Conversion tab
  • Updates to Columns/Relationships tab based on application development activities

Please contact CWDSDataManagement@otsi.ca.gov if you have any questions.

Stay tuned for more updates to the CWS-CARES Data Dictionary, which will be shared in future CWS-CARES Weekly Digest emails.

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CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations

Here’s a quick look at the CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations from the previous and upcoming two weeks. These demonstrations give counties and partners a chance to see key features in action, learn what’s new or coming soon, and share feedback that helps shape ongoing improvements to CWS-CARES.

View all the previous Product Demonstrations on the CWDS website: CWS-CARES Product Demonstrations. Please note, a log in is required to view all recordings.

CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations Held March 30 - April 10, 2026:

  • No CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations were held between March 30th – April 10th.

Upcoming CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations Held April 13 – 17, 2026: * 

  • April 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Portal and CWS-CARES Functionality: End-to-End Portal Demo

*Please note that dates for CWS-CARES Demonstrations shared here are subject to change. Please check the CWDS Meeting and Event Calendar for the most up-to-date schedule.

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CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

Each week, we highlight a common question from counties and partners, along with a clear, practical answer to help you better understand CWS-CARES functionality.

April 13, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Once we transition to CWS-CARES, will probation staff still access via Citrix?

A: Yes, probation staff will still access via Citrix after the transition to CWS-CARES.

To view all of the CWS-CARES FAQs, please visit the CWDS Website: CWS-CARES FAQs | CWDS Website. Have a question? Send it to Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov and we will be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe 

Thank you for following our progress! Share your feedback on this CWS-CARES Weekly Digest here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Feedback Form. Subscribe to future issues here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Subscription Form.

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Action Required

We request that all CWS-CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) and Implementation Coordinators coordinate and distribute the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to all staff impacted by CWS-CARES, at their discretion.

New Materials Available on the CWS-CARES FCED Hub

FCED Governance Committee Members:

Following our February 9, 2026 Governance Committee meeting, two new resources are now available on the CWS-CARES FCED Hub:

  • February 2026 Governance Committee materials — including the meeting recording, presentation slides, and agenda
  • Monthly CalSAWS FCED newsletters — with instructions on how to access the new CalSAWS FCED demonstration series, which shows how information from CWS-CARES is displayed for the CalSAWS user, processed, and how information is returned to CWS-CARES as appropriate.

Based on your feedback from the meeting, we have also expanded FCED Hub access to our Regional Training Academy partners.

We will continue adding materials to the FCED Hub as they become available.

Action Required

Please contact CWDS Customer Relations with any questions.

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - March 30, 2026

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

In this Weekly Digest:

  • The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is Now Open!
  • Deadline Extended: Share Your Feedback in the Communications Effectiveness Survey #3 by April 3, 2026
  • CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #6 Recap and Recording Available
  • The March 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available
  • CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

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The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is Now Open! 

We are excited to announce the opening of the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2! You may shop now at: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 | Order Now . The shop will be open until end of day on Friday, April 17, 2026

All 58 California counties, Tribes, and partner organizations have the opportunity to purchase CWS-CARES branded items using their own funds at this limited-time online store. For more information on ordering and shipping, please review the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #2 FAQs and Item Preview document.  

Please contact CWDS Customer Relations with any questions. Happy shopping! 

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Deadline Extended: Share Your Feedback in the Communications Effectiveness Survey #3 by April 3, 2026 

Share your experience in the third annual CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey, which has now been extended through Friday, April 3, 2026. We are extending the deadline to ensure the survey results accurately reflect the overall sentiment of our stakeholders. If additional submissions are not received, the survey results will be voided. 

Take the survey here to share your feedback: CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey #3The survey is confidential, anonymous, and takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete

Please forward the survey link to other CWS-CARES users who may wish to provide feedback on CWS-CARES communications. 

The annual Communication Effectiveness Survey helps us understand what’s working and what could be improved with Project communications. Your honest feedback is greatly valued. 

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CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #6 Recap and Recording Available 

Thank you to everyone who attended CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #6 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026! We were pleased to have 457 participants across 48 counties and over 6 partner organizations join the session live – our highest participation rate to date! We received 78 questions during the session, which we are working to answer and share with you as soon as possible. 

The full recording of the session is now available on the Stakeholder Briefings and Webinar Materials page on the CWDS website. Please login with your county or organization email address to view the recording. An accessible PDF of the presentation slides along with a summary of the session Q&A will be available in the coming weeks in the same location.  

The next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The registration link and session agenda will be shared through the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest in April 2026. We hope to see you there! 

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The March 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available 

The CWS-CARES Progress and Engagement Summaries provide a concise overview of the collaborative efforts and achievements of CWS-CARES. The CWS-CARES Progress and Engagement Summary | March 2026 features engagement analytics for the February 2026 reporting period across the following subject areas: 

  • Project Communications 
  • Core Constituent Demonstrations 
  • Forms and Data 
  • External Systems, Interfaces, and Analytics 
  • Implementation, OCM, and Training Activities 

View all CWS-CARES Progress and Engagement Summaries on the CWDS website: CWS_CARES_Progress_and_Engagement_Updates. 

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March 30, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: What is the current plan for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes and CWS-CARES, and who is the key contact within the project for this? 
 
A: 
Non-Federally recognized Tribes are included in the Tribal Directory built by Resource Management. CWS-CARES will allow a user to capture all Tribal ancestry information for a child and family regardless of whether the Tribe is Federally Recognized. CWS-CARES functionality supports lineal descendancy and the Spirit of ICWA for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes. For any additional project questions, please send to the Customer Relations Mailbox. 

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CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week

Each week, we highlight a common question from counties and partners, along with a clear, practical answer to help you better understand CWS-CARES functionality.

March 30, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: What is the current plan for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes and CWS-CARES, and who is the key contact within the project for this? 
 
A: 
Non-Federally recognized Tribes are included in the Tribal Directory built by Resource Management. CWS-CARES will allow a user to capture all Tribal ancestry information for a child and family regardless of whether the Tribe is Federally Recognized. CWS-CARES functionality supports lineal descendancy and the Spirit of ICWA for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes. For any additional project questions, please send to the Customer Relations Mailbox. 

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe 

Thank you for following our progress! Share your feedback on this CWS-CARES Weekly Digest here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Feedback Form. Subscribe to future issues here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Subscription Form.

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Action Required

We request that all CWS-CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) and Implementation Coordinators coordinate and distribute the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to all staff impacted by CWS-CARES, at their discretion.

CWS-CARES: Action Required: Recruitment Request for CWS-CARES FFPSA Portal Testers

CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

As noted in our recent update regarding Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Portal testing as part of CWS-CARES Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3, we are shifting to a more focused testing approach utilizing a smaller group of subject matter experts (SMEs). We are now requesting your assistance in recruiting specific testers from your organization to participate in this effort.

Tester Pairing and Roles

To ensure the FFPSA Portal is tested comprehensively from front to back, testers must be paired across two distinct roles. Each tester can only fill one of the following roles:

  1. CBO (Community-Based Organization) Tester
  2. CWS-CARES User

Staffing Requirements per Participating County

  1. At least one person for each role (CBO and CWS-CARES User).
  2. A total of two staff members for each set of testers (one per role) in each participating organization.

Recommended Background for Tester Roles

  • CBO Tester Role: SMEs with a background in Prevention Services, and individuals with previous EUST experience are preferred. Note: County staff may act as CBO testers; however, this requires a separate external email address (non-county email) for portal access.
  • CWS-CARES Users Role: Individuals with familiarity in FFPSA, case management, and financial management, previous EUST experience is preferred.

We anticipate a commitment of five (5) to ten (10) hours per week over the planned two-week testing timeframe of April 6 – 17, 2026. We will provide a finalized schedule and specific dates as soon as they are confirmed.

Please respond using this form: EUST 3 FFPSA Portal Tester Registration and provide your designated testers' names and contact information by end of day Monday, March 30, 2026. Once your testers have been identified and submitted, the designated staff will receive training invitations directly from the CWS-CARES Training team. These invitations will include the specific dates, times, and logistical details for the upcoming sessions.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring the CWS-CARES FFPSA Portal meets the needs of our statewide users.

 

Action Required

Please respond using this form: EUST 3 FFPSA Portal Tester Registration and provide your designated testers' names and contact information by end of day Monday, March 30, 2026.

CWS-CARES Scheduled Maintenance - March 31, 2026 | 5PM - 8PM

All Pilot County RFA Implementation Coordinators and SPOCs:

The CWS-CARES team has scheduled maintenance activity for the CWS-CARES production environment for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM and concluding at 8:00 PM. During the maintenance window, the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) Application Submission, Review, and Approval Process will be accessible for pilot counties Fresno, Placer, and Santa Clara.

During the maintenance window, document related functionality in the CARES application will not be accessible.

Action Required

No action required from end-users during this maintenance window.

If users experience any issues with the CWS-CARES, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CWS-CARES County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours, and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.

Announcement: New Implementation Services Vendor for CWS-CARES Version 1

Child Welfare Leadership, CARES SPOCs, CARES Implementation Coordinators, CARES OCM Coordinators

CWS-CARES is pleased to announce that KPMG has been awarded the contract for Implementation Services for CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1). We are moving rapidly with the immediate onboarding of KPMG to ensure a seamless integration into our current operations. 

We are confident that this partnership offers enhanced implementation services. KPMG is committed to providing as much continuity as possible for counties, with some strategic adjustments aimed at improving processes and increasing overall efficiency starting with training, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), and the Production Simulation (Prod Sim) environment. 

Key Updates and Next Steps: 

  1. Project Timeline: CWS-CARES Version 1 remains on track for the October 2026 Go-Live. 
  1. Engagement: Organizational meetings are anticipated to resume in April 2026. You can also expect additional communication and updates in the forthcoming weeks. 
  1. Implementation Leads: More direct communication regarding Implementation Lead assignments will be shared soon. 
  1. Upcoming Information: We will provide a high-level summary of implementation services that includes a training calendar and delivery schedule. 

We understand there are many questions regarding this transition, and we are committed to sharing information as soon as it becomes available. The next opportunity for county updates will be during CWDA week, where we look forward to sharing these developments further. 

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work toward a successful statewide launch of CWS-CARES Version 1.