CWS-CARES

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.

Regional Training Academy Leads:

April 16, 2026 UPDATE: Reminder: Send an email to the CWDS Customer Relations mailbox at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov to request CWS-CARES FCED Hub access for RTA staff.

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The CWS-CARES Project recently launched the FCED Hub, a centralized resource for information related to Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED). FCED is the interface between CalSAWS and CWS-CARES to facilitate the determination of foster care funding in California, and replaces or augments information currently provided by social workers to eligibility workers. The FCED Hub includes eligibility demonstrations, FAQs, meeting recordings and materials, and CalSAWS FCED newsletters. We invite you to access the Hub to learn more about the FCED interface and better prepare for the upcoming implementation of CWS-CARES. 

How to Access the FCED Hub 
Regional Training Academy Leads can access the Hub by creating an account on the CWDS website:  

1. Sign up at Account Sign Up | CWDS  
2. Enter your name, email, county, and create a password 
3. Select the county from the dropdown that best represents your region 
4. Log in using your CWDS credentials  
5. Navigate to the CWDS Portals page and enter the FCED Hub  

Once you have created an account, you will have access to all resources on the CWDS website, including the Hub. 

Requesting Access for RTA Staff 

RTA Leads are responsible for requesting access to the FCED Hub on behalf of their staff. To request access for RTA staff, email Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov with their full name, email address, and RTA region. Staff will receive an email communication with instructions to create a CWDS account and log in. 

Action Required

Email Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov to request FCED Hub access for RTA staff.

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.

Regional Training Academy Leads:

The CWS-CARES Project recently launched the FCED Hub, a centralized resource for information related to Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED). FCED is the interface between CalSAWS and CWS-CARES to facilitate the determination of foster care funding in California, and replaces or augments information currently provided by social workers to eligibility workers. The FCED Hub includes eligibility demonstrations, FAQs, meeting recordings and materials, and CalSAWS FCED newsletters. We invite you to access the Hub to learn more about the FCED interface and better prepare for the upcoming implementation of CWS-CARES. 

How to Access the FCED Hub 
Regional Training Academy Leads can access the Hub by creating an account on the CWDS website:  

1. Sign up at Account Sign Up | CWDS  
2. Enter your name, email, county, and create a password 
3. Select the county from the dropdown that best represents your region 
4. Log in using your CWDS credentials  
5. Navigate to the CWDS Portals page and enter the FCED Hub  

Once you have created an account, you will have access to all resources on the CWDS website, including the Hub. 

Requesting Access for RTA Staff 

RTA Leads are responsible for requesting access to the FCED Hub on behalf of their staff. To request access for RTA staff, email Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov with their full name, email address, and RTA region. Staff will receive an email communication with instructions to create a CWDS account and log in. 

Action Required

Email Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov to request FCED Hub access for RTA staff.

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.

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

In this Weekly Digest: 

• Two Weeks Left: Order Now at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop! 
• CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstration
• CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week 

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Two Weeks Left: Order Now at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop! 

There is 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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CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstration

Here is 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 23 - April 3, 2026: 

• No CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations were held between March 23 – April 3. 

Upcoming CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations: *  

• No CWS-CARES Core Constituent Demonstrations are currently planned between April 6 – April 30.  

*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 6, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Will CWS-CARES incorporate Safety Organized Practice (SOP)? This is the state approved model approach we use in practice. 

A: CWS-CARES incorporates elements aligned with Safety Organized Practice (SOP) where appropriate within system functionality. For example, provisional Harm and Danger Statements are available at Intake (Screening) and can be further developed throughout the referral and case lifecycle. Additionally, SOP-aligned language has been integrated into relevant areas of the system, including structured contact notes and other documentation features, where applicable. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

2. Engagement: Organizational meetings are anticipated to resume in April 2026. You can also expect additional communication and updates in the forthcoming weeks. 

3. Implementation Leads: More direct communication regarding Implementation Lead assignments will be shared soon. 

4. 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. 

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

In this Weekly Digest:

• Deadline Extended: Complete the CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey #3 by March 27, 2026

• Final Reminder: Register for Stakeholder Briefing #6 on March 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

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

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Deadline Extended: Complete the CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey #3 by March 27, 2026

Share your experience in the third annual CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey, which has now been extended through Friday, March 27, 2026. The annual Communication Effectiveness Survey helps us understand what is working and what could be improved with project communications. Your honest feedback is greatly valued. 

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

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

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Final Reminder: Register for Stakeholder Briefing #6 on March 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

You are invited to register for the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing, now scheduled for March 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon. Please share the registration link and instructions in this email to any staff that might be interested in attending. 

Register here to reserve your spot: Stakeholder Briefing #6 - March 25, 2026 | Registration. Registration is required to attend. Please note: a calendar invitation for Stakeholder Briefing #6 will not be sent from the CWS-CARES Project. After registering, you must manually add the .ics file included in the registration confirmation email to your calendar.  

Session Agenda:

All stakeholders are welcome to attend the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing series and engage directly with our project team. At Stakeholder Briefing #6, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear updates on: 

• CWS-CARES Readiness from our Executive Leadership Team 
• CWS-CARES Production Simulation 
• Forms and Reports 
• A pre-recorded demonstration of the Health and Education Passport (HEP) 

View the full agenda and register for the session on the Stakeholder Briefing #6 - March 25, 2026 | Registration page. 

If you require any accommodations to attend this webinar, such as an ASL interpreter, please notify CWDS Customer Relations at: CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov at least one week in advance, or as soon as possible. 

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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 23, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: It is noted that there is the ability in CWS-CARES to e-sign a lot of documents (i.e., courts, state forms, etc.). Has the State already approved e-signatures? We have been previously instructed that they need wet signatures for many different documents.

A: While CWS-CARES has the functionality to e-sign documents such as court reports and state forms, e‑signatures are not required. Counties will have the flexibility to follow their own county and court policies around e‑signing documents. Please view Rule 2.257 for further details on the use of e‑signatures.

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.