News

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - August 24, 2026

August 24, 2026 Communications

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

General
- Final Reminder: Two (2) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10
- The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is Now Open!
- Monthly Readiness Report Updates
Production Simulation
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED)
- Identifying CWS/CMS Cases for Foster Care Eligibility
Implementation
- Over 200 Quick Guides Now Available
- OCM Guidance Spotlight on Stakeholder Analysis
- Organizations Go-Live Support Planning
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 24, 2026

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General

Final Reminder: Two (2) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10

Thank you to the 430+ stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, August 26, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.

Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration. Note: 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 August 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 Registration page. Updates will include:

Preparing for Go-Live

Project Status Update

What to expect

External Systems

Implementation, OCM, and Training

New Functionality & Production Simulation

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on August 26, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

Now Opening August 31, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3

Please note: the opening date for CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 has changed. The shop will now open on Monday, August 31, and will remain available through Friday, September 18, 2026.

The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is back with a new selection of items! All 58 California counties, Tribes, State partners, and public agencies can purchase CWS-CARES–branded merchandise online at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to purchase items using their own funds. The shop will feature a variety of new items, including apparel, stationery, mugs, accessories, and more.

To view a preview of the items offered, please see the Pop-Up Shop 3 Branding Flyer

A link to the shop will be shared in the August 31 Weekly Digest.

Monthly Readiness Report Updates

Following feedback received on the June Monthly Readiness Report, the Project Team has updated the report language beginning with the July cycle, distributed on Friday, August 14. The revised wording now clearly distinguishes overdue items that are dependent on Project deliverables or actions from those that are overdue due to Organization delays.

This update is intended to improve the accuracy of readiness reporting and ensure that county accountability aligns only with tasks that are within their control.

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Production Simulation

System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub

Every Monday, the CWS-CARES Project publishes new System Updates and Release Notes on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS website. All published updates are located on the System Updates & Release Notes tab in the left navigation bar. Below is a summary of the most recent release.

CWS‑CARES Weekly Release Summary: August 17, 2026

The August 17 release delivered a range of corrections and improvements across the CWS-CARES system:

226 defect fixes addressing reliability, accuracy, and overall system usability across Case Management, Resource Management, Intake, Investigation, and Courts.

49 data conversion fixes across six key data domains, including Address, Adoption, Case, Child Location/Placement, Health, and Person.

3 county-reported data issues resolved, from Riverside, Fresno, San Bernardino, and San Luis Obispo, improving RFA application data, credit report history, geographic region codes, and linked application records.

Full details for last week’s release are available on the CWS‑CARES Production Simulation Hub.

Upcoming Release Information

System Updates & Release Notes will continue to be published every Monday. The August 24 System Updates and Release Notes will appear on the Production Simulation Hub once it is officially posted.

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Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED)

Identifying CWS/CMS Cases for Foster Care Eligibility

CWS-CARES (CARES) and CalSAWS are collaborating to ensure that active CARES Eligibility Records are linked to active CalSAWS cases by Go-Live. To get there, CARES and CalSAWS project staff have worked to identify which CalSAWS cases should link to which CWS-CARES Eligibility Records. Most of this matching is handled through automated features, but some cases require manual research.

CalSAWS workers may reach out to county staff with CWS/CMS access for assistance with case identification. No action is required at this time.

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Implementation

Over 200 Quick Guides Now Available

The new Learning on Demand page within the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal is now live, offering improved access and expanded available resources. The Training page no longer requires a sign‑in, allowing users to access resources more quickly. Because the Training page requires this direct link, please favorite or bookmark the page for easy access.

We’ve also added over 200 Quick Guides covering common processes, tools, and workflows. Quick Guides are short and practical references that outline the essential steps for everyday tasks. They are designed to help teams find quick answers without searching through longer documentation. Additional Quick Guides are under review and will be released in a future update.

OCM Guidance Spotlight on Stakeholder Analysis

As we move into the final two months before Go-Live, Organizational Change Management (OCM) Coordinators play a critical role in preparing their Organizations for CWS-CARES adoption. Outreach and readiness activities become increasingly important during this phase, so this week, we’re highlighting the Stakeholder Analysis section available on the CWS-CARES OCM Resources page.

Stakeholder Analysis helps to clarify who is affected, who holds influence, and how to engage each group throughout implementation. On the CWS-CARES OCM Resources page, you can access the following:

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Analysis Guidance: A presentation that provides an overview, expected outcomes, key activities, and engagement framework.

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Landscape: A graphic identifying the estimated level of impact and influence across stakeholder groups.

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Registry Template: An Excel tool to track stakeholders and note impacts, perceptions, and needed actions.

Although this activity is typically completed early in the change management process, revisiting it now can be helpful as training progresses, workflows evolve, and Go-Live planning accelerates. A refreshed stakeholder landscape can support more coordinated communication and help Organizations stay aligned during this final phase of readiness.

Organizations Go-Live Support Planning

Implementation Leads have begun initial discussions with Organizations throughout August to support Go‑Live Support Planning. These sessions help Organizations finalize their Go-Live Support Plans, identify staffing and internal support structures, and confirm alignment with CWS‑CARES Central Command Center operations for Day 1 and the 90‑Day post‑Go‑Live support period.

Implementation Leads will then continue working with Organizations through September to tailor and validate Organization-specific Go-Live Support Plans, with final plans targeted for completion by September 30.

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CWS-CARES Functionality

CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 24, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

August 24, 2026 – FAQ of the Week:

Q: There are more required fields in CWS-CARES than CWS/CMS. Is the county expected to fill in the new fields required when working on a converted case?

A: There are instances where a field is newly considered mandatory in CWS-CARES which was not required or entered in CWS/CMS. If a user opens a converted record for editing, they will be prompted to provide values for any unpopulated mandatory field before their changes can be saved.

To view all of the CWS-CARES FAQs, please visit the CWDS website: CWDS FAQs

Have a question? Send it to Customer Relations 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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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

The Prod Sim environment contains converted CWS/CMS cases reflecting actual system data as of April 17, 2026. Because this includes real, sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII), all case information must be strictly protected or redacted.

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - August 17, 2026

August 17, 2026 Communications

In this Weekly Digest:

General
- Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10
- Now Available – Hotline Screening in CWS-CARES: A Guide
- Now Available – The CWS-CARES Story Demonstration Video
- Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3
Implementation
- Refreshed Organizational Change Management (OCM) Resources Page
- New Resource Posted: CWS-CARES BPR Archetype Session Q&A
Training
- Instructor-Led Training Requires CACWT Enrollment
- Additional Updated Facilitator Guides Available
Production Simulation
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 17, 2026

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General

Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10

Thank you to the 325+ stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, August 26, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.

Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration. Note: 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 August 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 Registration page. Updates will include:

Preparing for Go-Live
Project Status Update
Go-Live Readiness
What to Expect
Q&A
Implementation and Training
Q&A
Production Simulation
Q&A

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on August 26, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

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Now Available – Hotline Screening in CWS-CARES: A Guide

The CWS-CARES Project has published a new guide on Hotline Screening in CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1). The guide provides an overview of the updated screening process, new features, and mandatory data fields required before an abuse and neglect screening can be submitted for approval.

Key topics covered in the guide include:

New features and updates to Abuse and Neglect Screenings in CARES V1, including a 2-step Referral Process, Electronic Communications, SDM Data Integration, and Workflow Guidance.
A complete list of required fields that must be completed before submitting an abuse and neglect screening for approval.
The list of required and optional Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) fields.

To access the guide, see the CWS-CARES Hotline Screeners Fact Sheet within the CWS-CARES Infographics, Flyers, and Slogans.

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Now Available: The CWS-CARES Story Demonstration Video

A new two-part demonstration video highlighting the evolution from CWS/CMS to CWS-CARES is now available on the CWDS website. This video provides an overview of both systems, illustrating how core functionality has been redesigned, modernized, and expanded in CWS-CARES. It also highlights key enhancements that address long-standing challenges in the legacy system and demonstrates how CWS-CARES supports more efficient, streamlined, and user-friendly workflows.

To watch the video, please visit the Intro to CWS-CARES page within the CWS-CARES Product Demonstrations.

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Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3

The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is back with a new selection of items! All 58 California counties, Tribes, State partners, and public agencies can purchase CWS-CARES branded merchandise online at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 between Monday, August 24 and Friday, September 11.

Stakeholders will have the opportunity to purchase CWS-CARES–branded items using their own funds. The shop will feature a variety of new items, including apparel, stationery, mugs, accessories, and more.

To view a preview of the items offered, please see the Pop Up Shop 3 FAQs and Item Selection flyer.

A link to the shop will be shared in the August 24 Weekly Digest.

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Implementation

Refreshed Organizational Change Management (OCM) Resources Page

The OCM Implementation Team remains committed to providing clear and practical tools that support local implementation. To further that commitment, the CWS-CARES OCM Resources Page has been reorganized to improve navigation and expand the materials. A new section header titled OCM Guidance Resources now offers:

Topic-based dropdowns covering key elements for Stakeholder Analysis, Change Impacts, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, and OCM Measurement and Evaluation.
Clear explanations and intended outcomes to support understanding and local decision making.
Direct links to tools and templates with recommended activities to help apply guidance in your Organization. Note: Additional resources will be added periodically.

OCM Guidance: Spotlight on Change Impacts

Over the coming weeks, OCM will spotlight each area within the OCM Guidance Resources, beginning with Change Impacts.

The Change Impacts subsection has an updated Excel file outlining all the documented changes identified by the OCM team, including updates since 6/15. Changes are current as of 8/1, with a summary of updates included for quick reference. These impacts are foundational and may not reflect those unique to your Organization. We encourage Organizations to review and build upon them as you practice in the Production Simulation environment or go through training.

To further support the use of Change Impacts, the Terminology Crosswalk provides translations from CWS/CMS to CWS-CARES terminology. No updates were made to this tool during this review cycle. Both the Change Impacts and Terminology Crosswalk will continue to be updated on a monthly cadence until Go-Live.

These updates are intended to support planning efforts, strengthen consistency across teams, and provide practical resources to guide your CWS-CARES implementation activities.

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New Resource Posted: CWS‑CARES BPR Archetype Session Q&A

Thank you to all Organizations that participated in the recent CWS‑CARES Business Process Re‑engineering (BPR) Archetype Sessions. Your engagement, questions, and local perspectives have been invaluable in shaping the statewide operational baseline and informing the focus areas for the upcoming Delta Sessions.

During the Archetype Sessions, participants raised a number of thoughtful questions and requested clarification on several statewide business change impacts. The Implementation Team worked closely with Service Managers, County Consultants, and SMEs to gather responses to the questions captured during the sessions.

The BPR Archetype Sessions – Consolidated Q&A is now available on the Business Process Re-engineering page. This resource is intended to support Organizations as they review upcoming changes and begin internal readiness conversations.

What’s Included:

Consolidated Q&A from all Archetype Session follow‑ups
Clarifications on statewide workflow assumptions and operational impacts
Additional context to support Change Impact worksheet review and local planning

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Training

Instructor-Led Training Requires CACWT Enrollment

All participants attending Instructor-Led Training (ILT) must have an active account in the California Child Welfare Training (CACWT) system before enrolling in any courses.

Organizations have two options for enrolling staff:

Select staff bulk enroll users on CACWT Online login. (Please ensure that staff responsible for enrolling others have the correct admin permissions within CACWT and reach out to your Training Coordinator for assistance as needed.)
Allow users to self-enroll using the CWS-CARES Registration Portal.

Please note that enrollments submitted through the self-enrollment portal are processed on a schedule and may take additional time to appear in CACWT. If staff need immediate access, they should go directly to CACWT to sign in (or select “Sign up” to create an account) and enroll for ILT courses.

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Additional Updated Facilitator Guides Available

Documents for Train the Trainer and Instructor-Led Training are now publicly accessible on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal. Based on recent enhancements and trainer feedback received, several Facilitator Guides were enhanced including:

Placement
Probation
Screening and Referrals

When a new version is uploaded, an “updated date” is reflected for each resource. Updated materials will be announced in the Weekly Digest or users can refer to the site periodically to validate they have the latest training resources.

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Production Simulation

System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub

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CWS-CARES Functionality

CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 17, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

August 17, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: When CWS/CMS is in read-only mode, will staff be able to print from CWS/CMS? If not, will all documents from CWS/CMS be available in CWS-CARES?

A: Yes, counties will be able to print the documents in CWS/CMS when it is in read-only mode and all documents from CWS/CMS are planned to be converted over to CWS-CARES. Please note that once CWS/CMS goes into read-only mode at 5:00 PM PST on October 23, 2026, the data in CWS/CMS will become point-in-time data. These documents will also be available in CWS-CARES, the replacing system of record, and can be printed from there as well.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe

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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - August 10, 2026

August 10, 2026 Communications

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

General
- Now Available: 75+ Frequently Asked Questions on the CWDS FAQ Page
- Coming Soon: CWS-CARES Help Desk
- Registration Now Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10
- Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3
Implementation
- See What’s Newly Rolled Out on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal
Training
- New Location for Training Materials and Updated Facilitator Guides
- CWS-CARES Training Environment (CARES 104) Housekeeping Rule
Technical Updates
- CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.12 Now Available
Production Simulation
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 10, 2026

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General

Now Available: 75+ Frequently Asked Questions on the CWDS FAQ Page

The CWS-CARES Project recently uploaded 75+ new FAQs to the CWDS Frequently Asked Questions page on August 4, 2026. These FAQs are drawn from questions recently responded to (within the last year) and cover a range of CWS-CARES topics. The new FAQs are organized into updated categories and tagged by meetings or forums for easier searching.

Coming Soon: CWS-CARES Help Desk

The current support model is changing. Counties currently use multiple support channels depending on the system or type of issue, including the CWS/CMS Help Desk, CARES-Live RFA Help Desk, Production Simulation Support and Office Hours, and individual project teams. As we approach Go-Live, these channels will be brought together under a centralized CWS-CARES Help Desk, providing a single point of entry for questions and issues, faster response times, and a consistent process for tracking issues through resolution.

Please note that county support routing will vary by implementation model. Coexistent counties will continue to have Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) coordinate initial support and routing, while non-coexistent counties will receive support directly through the CWS-CARES Support Model.

Registration Now Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10 

We encourage you to attend the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, August 26, 2026! Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration. Note: 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 are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership. The full agenda for the August 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration page. Updates will include:

Preparing for Go-Live
- Project Status Update
- Go-Live Readiness
- What to expect
- Q&A
Implementation and Training
- Q&A
Production Simulation
- Q&A

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series!  We hope to see you on August 26, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

Please contact Customer Relations with any questions.

Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3

The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is returning with a brand-new selection of items! All 58 California counties, Tribes, State partners, and public agencies will be able to purchase CWS-CARES branded merchandise online at the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 between Monday, August 24 and Friday, September 11.

During this limited-time window, stakeholders will have the opportunity to purchase CWS-CARES–branded items using their own funds. The shop will feature a variety of new items, including apparel, stationery, mugs, accessories, and more. Additional details, ordering information, and a preview of the items offered will be shared in the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest, ahead of the Pop-Up Shop grand opening on August 24.

View a preview of the items offered on the 081026_Pop-up Shop 3 Flyer

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Implementation

See What’s Newly Rolled Out on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal

The CWS-CARES Implementation Portal will continue to evolve with new resources, tools, and information to support Organizations throughout implementation. We’ve added two important updates under the CWS-CARES Organizational Change Management Team Links section:

1. Super User Readiness Page Launched
A dedicated Super User Readiness page has been created to serves as the hub for all meeting materials related to the Super User program. This includes session minutes, slide decks, and recordings, each of which will be posted within a day after every session.
The first session took place on 8/4, and materials from the kickoff meeting are now available on the new page.

2. New Process Maps Added
Several new process maps have been uploaded to the Business Process Re-engineering page to support teams in understanding workflows and key transitions on the following service areas:

Adoptions
Financial Management
Intake
Case Management - Engagement
Courts - Court Hearings
Courts - Warrants and Jurisdiction and Disposition Hearings
Courts - Status Review
Courts - Other Hearings
Resource Management

Process maps will continue to be added over the coming weeks as they are finalized.

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Training

New Location for Training Materials and Updated Facilitator Guides

Training materials for CWS-CARES have moved to a new, more accessible location. All resources, including Instructor-Led Training (ILT) materials, Train the Trainer (TTT) resources, and training videos are now posted on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal. These materials are publicly accessible and no longer require signing in to a CWDS account. This change was made to increase ease of access, improve consistency, and support for trainers and users statewide.

As part of this transition, updated versions of several Facilitator Guides were posted to ensure all training materials remain current, consistent, and aligned with the latest information. These updates reflect recent enhancements, incorporate trainer feedback, clarify instructions where needed, and strengthen support for delivering training effectively. Updates to Facilitator Guides will continue regularly as system update(s) are made and feedback from training sessions is incorporated.

The following Facilitator Guides have been updated and are now available on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal:

Admin Console
Screenings & Referrals
Courts
Resource Family Approval
Placement
Case Management Services
Eligibility
Adoptions
Prevention Services (Family First Prevention Services Act)

Trainers who use these guides in upcoming TTT sessions should download the latest versions to ensure they are using the most current and accurate content.

ILT materials are also currently available on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal, and the training team is actively uploading additional resources. Please note that when updates are made to Facilitator Guides for TTT, those updates will also be incorporated into the corresponding ILT Training Guides.

CWS-CARES Training Environment (CARES 104) Housekeeping Rule

As part of Instructor Led Training (ILT), users will have access to a dedicated CWS-CARES training environment (CARES 104) that mirrors key system functionality.  Users will receive access through two system-generated onboarding emails. This space is designed for hands on practice during scheduled sessions so everyone can learn without affecting real data.

A quick reminder: please use the training environment (CARES 104) only during your scheduled ILT sessions. Accessing it outside these timeframes can unintentionally create data issues or interfere with other users’ learning activities. If you’d like to practice and prepare for ILTs please use the Production Simulation environment (CARES 100) to complete On-Demand Enablement modules.

The one exception is for individuals participating in Train-the-Trainer (TTT) activities, who may need additional time in the environment to prepare materials and become fully comfortable with the system or if they don’t have access to CARES 104 and need to complete enablement modules.

If you have questions reach out to your CWS-CARES training coordinator. If you have any issues accessing the training environments, contact the Production Simulation mailbox for your region.

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Technical Updates

CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.12 Now Available

CWS-CARES Data Dictionary V0.12 is now available on the Microsoft Teams Channel: CARES Data Dictionary under Shared as of Monday, August 10th. Check the Intro tab of the CWS-CARES Data Dictionary for the detailed list of updates included in the new version.

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Production Simulation

System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub

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CWS-CARES Functionality

CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 10, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

August 10, 2026, FAQ of the Week: 

Q: I was wondering if Snapshot, Facilities, and Child and Adolescent Needs Strengths (CANS) Assessments will be unavailable once CWS-CARES goes live? If so, will that website be deactivated? Any information would be helpful.

A: Upon the launch of CWS-CARES, the following details will be converted and available in CWS-CARES:

CARES-Live Snapshot data: Migrated from CWS/CMS.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe

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

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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - August 3, 2026

August 03, 2026 Communications

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

In this Weekly Digest:

General
- Registration Now Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10 
- Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3
Implementation
- Spotlight: How BPR Delta Sessions Help Organizations Prepare for CWS-CARES
Training
- Instructor-Led Training Begins August 3: Get Ready to Build Confidence and Level Up Your Skills
Production Simulation
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 3, 2026

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General
Registration Now Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10

We encourage you to attend the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, August 26, 2026! Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration. Note: 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  are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership. The full agenda for the July 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 | Registration page. Updates will include:

Preparing for Go-Live
- Project Status Update
- Go-Live Readiness
- What to expect
- Q&A
Implementation and Training
- Q&A
Production Simulation

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series!  We hope to see you on August 26, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

Please contact Customer Relations with any questions.

Coming August 24, 2026: The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3

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Implementation
Spotlight: How BPR Delta Sessions Help Organizations Prepare for CWS-CARES

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) Delta Sessions with individual Organizations began July 27 and will run through August 28. These one-on-one sessions give each participating organization (including county child welfare, county probation departments, Tribal partners, and CDSS divisions) an opportunity to review how its current day‑to‑day work compares to what will be expected when CWS‑CARES goes live.

In each 90‑minute virtual session, Organizations work with the BPR team to review the changes expected to have the greatest impact across key areas of their work and identify where their current processes differ from the statewide baseline developed from the BPR Archetype Sessions. The goal is to help the Organization understand where additional support (revised work procedures and policies, additional staff training, work assignments, etc.) may be needed to smoothly transition to CWS-CARES.

Thank you to all organizations that have confirmed participation. If your Organization chose not to participate in a Delta Session, you can access the updated Change Impact worksheet from the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal via the Organizational Change Management (OCM) and CWS-CARES OCM Resources pages to complete your organization’s internal assessment.

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Training
Instructor-Led Training Begins August 3: Get Ready to Build Confidence and Level Up Your Skills

Instructor-Led Training (ILT) for end users begins August 3, 2026 and will run through October 23, 2026. These live trainings provide guided practice and opportunities to ask questions as staff prepare for upcoming changes with CWS-CARES. End users are encouraged to complete the On-Demand Enablement modules beforehand, so they arrive ready for hands-on learning.

Key Reminders:

The ILT Curriculum defines recommended On-Demand Enablement modules for each ILT course.
Organization ILT schedules are being finalized and have been shared by Project Training Coordinators to Organization Training Coordinators.
Staff should coordinate with their Organization Training Coordinator, their supervisor, and the published learning paths to select the sessions that best align with their role. (Note: Users need a CWDS account to access the learning paths).
California Child Welfare Training (CACWT) registration links will be provided once ILT Schedules are confirmed, allowing users to register.
Please complete the evaluation after ILT. Your feedback helps to improve future training.
Reach out to your Organization Training Coordinator for any training-related questions.

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Production Simulation
System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub

Every Monday, the CWS-CARES Project releases new System Updates and Release Notes. Users can find the latest System Updates and Release Notes by visiting the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS website. Within the Production Simulation page, users can select System Updates & Release Notes from the left bar menu. The System Updates and Release Notes page is a centralized location that provides the latest system updates and release notes in one place.

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CWS-CARES Functionality
CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 3, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

August 3, 2026 FAQ of the Week: 

Q: What file types can be uploaded to CWS-CARES, and how should users handle .CSV files when attaching documents to case records?

A: CWS-CARES supports uploading, storing, organizing, and retrieving electronic documents. Users can drag and drop files or attach them directly to CWS-CARES records such as Screenings, Contacts, Cases, and Assessments. Therefore, files can be uploaded and associated with an individual's case record. Currently supported file types are as follows:

.pdf – Adobe PDF
.doc/.docx – Microsoft Word
.xls/.xlsx – Microsoft Excel
.jpeg/.jpg – Images
.txt – Text files
.mov/.mkv/.mp4 – Movie files

For .csv files, the Project recommends converting them to .xlsx prior to uploading them 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 and we will be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe

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___________________________________________________________________

Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - July 27, 2026

July 27, 2026 Communications

In this Weekly Digest:

General
- CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10 
- The July 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available
Forms
- Action Required: CWS-CARES County Specific Conversion Validation Due August 7
Implementation
- What is New on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal
- Happening Now: CWS-CARES Train-the-Trainer Program
- Upcoming Super User Readiness Meeting Kickoff
Production Simulation
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 27, 2026

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General
CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #10 

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 – July 22, 2026:

Thank you to everyone who attended CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026! We were pleased to have 443 participants across 45 counties and over 4+ partner organizations join the session live. We also received several questions during the session, which we are working to answer and share with you as soon as possible. 

The session recording is now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials page under Stakeholder Briefing #9.

Please log in with your county or organization email address to view the recording. An accessible PDF of the presentation slides and a summary of the session Q&A will be available in the coming weeks in the same location.

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 – August 26, 2026: 

Registration is now open for the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing! We encourage you to attend Stakeholder Briefing #10 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Register now. Note: A separate calendar invitation will not be sent by the CWS-CARES Project. Please manually add the .ics attachment (which is a digital calendar file format) in the registration confirmation email to your calendar. 

All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend. Updates will include: 

Preparing for Go-Live
- Project Status Update
- Go-Live Readiness
- What to expect
- Q&A
Implementation and Training
- Q&A
Production Simulation

View the full agenda on CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10: August 2026. We hope to see you on August 26, 2026! 

Please contact Customer Relations with any questions.

The July 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 July Progress and Engagement Summary features engagement analytics for the June 2026 reporting period across the following subject areas: 

CWS-CARES Communications
Stakeholder Briefing #8 – June 2026
Forms and Data
External Systems, Interfaces, and Analytics
Implementation, OCM, and Training
Production Simulation
Resources Available on the CWDS Website

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

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Forms

Action Required: CWS-CARES County Specific Conversion Validation Due August 7

The CWS-CARES Project distributed an important email communication on July 22, 2026, regarding the validation of county-specific forms currently being converted from Word into Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) templates. Vendor support for forms developed under the current IBM engagement concludes on August 7, 2026. Beyond this date, the project team will not have vendor resources available to make edits, corrections, or adjustments to your forms. 

All form validations must be completed no later than August 7, 2026. Any forms that remain unvalidated after this date will be deemed accepted as-is.

For full details, refer to the CWS-CARES County Specific Forms – Conversion Validation Due August 7, 2026 communication on the CWDS website.

Please contact the County Forms Conversion mailbox with any questions.

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Implementation

What is New on the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal

The CWS-CARES Project is pleased to announce new updates to the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal. The updates are designed to make it easier for Counties, Probation Organizations, and Tribes with Title IV-E agreements to locate important resources that support the Organizational Change Management (OCM) and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) implementation activities. Updates include:

OCM Advisory Workgroup (OCMAW) Member List – The OCMAW was recently expanded to include all OCM Coordinators and two Super Users from each Organization. You may access this list within the CWS-CARES OCM page.

Business Process Re-engineering Page – A new CWS-CARES BPR page is available within the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal. This page provides an overview of BPR and its role in supporting the CWS-CARES implementation. Downloadable resources include the Operational Alignment Session (OAS) Slides and other session materials. BPR Process Maps will soon be available.

New OCM Resources – Two new resources are now available on the CWS-CARES OCM Resources page within the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal:

Change Impacts: The Change Impacts resource provides a summary of changes to help Organizations assess how CWS-CARES may affect current operations and staff.
Terminology Crosswalk: The Terminology Crosswalk explains new and changing terms from Child Welfare Services/Case Management System to CWS-CARES.

Note: Both OCM Resource documents include an ‘as of’ date and will be periodically updated based on updates to business processes, product enhancements, demos, and testing efforts.

For more information, visit the CWS-CARES Implementation Portal.

Happening Now: CWS-CARES Train-the-Trainer Program

Train-the-Trainer (TTT) is now underway! Beginning on July 20, 2026 and continuing through August, designated representatives from all participating organizations are coming together to deliver end user training for their teams. During these sessions, participants learn the curriculum, facilitation methods, and training materials they will use to support staff throughout implementation.

TTT and Instructor-Lead Training

It is important to note that TTT is separate from Instructor-Lead Training (ILT). County staff identified for TTT will serve as Facilitators or Support staff to learn the curriculum ahead of other country users so that they are able to support CWS-CARES trainers in ILT delivery. Facilitators will lead and teach training independently, while Support staff will attend ILT to assist CWS-CARES trainers in delivery. All staff will participate in their own ILT between August and October 2026, which will focus on system functionality, workflows, and hands-on practice.

Upcoming Super User Readiness Meeting Kickoff

The CWS-CARES Project is excited to announce that the Super User Readiness Meetings are kicking off on August 4, 2026, and will continue on a biweekly cadence. These dedicated sessions are designed to help Super Users become proficient in CWS-CARES, building both Organizational Change Management (OCM) and system proficiency to support their role beyond simply learning the system.

About the Super User Role

Super Users are Subject Matter Experts who bridge the gap between the technical system and daily operations during and post-Go-Live. Key expectations include:

Acting as “knowledge holders” for future state processes.
Surfacing pain points and escalating issues when needed.
Providing hands-on troubleshooting and functional guidance.

What to Expect in Super User Readiness Meetings

Sessions will focus on workflow readiness, system and troubleshooting guidance, and preparations for CWS-CARES implementation and post-go-live support. Topics are targeted to build tactical readiness of Super Users to provide localized peer support to their organizations as we approach Go-Live.

A Super User Readiness page for the Implementation Portal is currently underway. We look forward to supporting Super Users as they prepare to provide critical support to their organizations.

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Production Simulation

System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub

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CWS-CARES Functionality

CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 27, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight July 27, 2026 FAQ of the Week: 

Q: Why does CWS-CARES deactivate accounts when they have not been used or accessed after 90 days?

A: It is California State policy using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53 rev5 guidelines, that account usage be monitored and disable accounts where the user has not logged into the CWS-CARES system for more than 90 days. This policy helps us maintain the data integrity and security of the system. For instance, this policy helps to prevent users who may have left a department, but whose accounts might not have been disabled by that department, from logging in to the system.

The County and Office Administrator will be able to reactivate that user when their account has become disabled.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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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.

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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

The Prod Sim environment contains converted CWS/CMS cases reflecting actual system data as of April 17th; because this includes real, sensitive PII, all case information must be strictly protected or redacted.

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send PHI, PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - July 20, 2026

July 20, 2026 Communications

In this Weekly Digest:

General
- Introducing a New Weekly Digest Format
- Clarification on CWS-CARES Version 1 Go-Live Date
- Final Reminder: Two (2) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9
Implementation
- Working Session Kickoff: Archetype Sessions
Production Simulation
- CWS-CARES Changes to Enablement Training Enrollment
- System Updates & Release Notes Now Available on the Production Simulation Hub
Technical Update
- CWS-CARES Weekly Maintenance and System Update Window
CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 20, 2026

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General

Introducing a New Weekly Digest Format

The CWS-CARES Weekly Digest is introducing a new format beginning this week. Articles will now be organized by category to make it easier for readers to find the information most relevant to their role and organization. Categories will vary every week based on the content available, but may include External Systems, Implementation, Production Simulation, and more. A Technical Updates section will also be included when applicable. This section will feature system maintenance notices, interface and integration updates, data dictionary updates, software compatibility guidelines, and more.

Thank you for reading the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest. Please contact Customer Relations with any feedback or questions about the Weekly Digest.

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Clarification on CWS-CARES Version 1 Go-Live Date

We have recently received questions regarding potential changes to the CWS-CARES Version 1 Go-Live date, including rumors of a shift to June 2027.

We want to clarify that the official Go-Live date remains October 26, 2026.

While we are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are actively working to address them, our teams continue to plan and prepare for the October 2026 release.

Please note that any change to the project timeline would require a formal decision through our established official governance process. Unless an official decision is made and communicated through those channels, the October 26, 2026 date remains our active target.

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Final Reminder: Two (2) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9

Thank you to the 345+ stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.

Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 | Registration. Note: 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 July 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 Registration page. Updates will include:

Production Simulation
- Updated Onboarding Timeline
- Status of Fixes
- Prod Sim Support
- Redacting Sensitive and Confidential Data in Support Tickets
Implementation & Training

Some registrants have reported difficulties completing registration due to a technical issue with Microsoft Teams. If you experience this, please clear your cache and open the registration link in the Microsoft Edge browser or register on a mobile phone. If you continue to experience issues, please contact Customer Relations for further assistance.

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on July 22, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

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Implementation

Working Session Kickoff: Archetype Sessions

Archetype Sessions are underway! A small group of representative organizations from Child Welfare, Juvenile Probation, Tribes, and CDSS are meeting July 13 through July 24 to establish a statewide baseline of ways of working. This baseline will guide the upcoming Delta Sessions (July 27 through August 28), which are designed to help each organization pinpoint where local practices or policies need to align with CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) workflow.

During each Archetype session, participants review the operational changes expected to significantly affect day-to-day practices as organizations transition to CWS-CARES. Archetype Sessions focus on identifying statewide commonalities and differences in current workflows.

Thank you to all participating organizations for your partnership and preparation. Your engagement is essential in shaping baseline workflows for CWS‑CARES and informing the support you will receive throughout the transition.

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Production Simulation

CWS-CARES Changes to Enablement Training Enrollment

On July 13, 2026, the CWS-CARES Project announced that all published Enablement Programs would be automatically assigned to all users within the CWS-CARES Production Simulation (Prod Sim) environment (CARES 100). This change is designed to give users full visibility into available training materials, though it means that user dashboards may look slightly different.

Here is what users can expect:

Users will now see all available programs in the CARES 100 environment.
Users may see programs assigned to them that don't align with their specific learning path.
Users who previously disenrolled from a program may be automatically re-enrolled. Users still have full control to manually adjust their enrollments and disenroll again as needed.

We highly encourage users to work directly with their supervisor or training coordinator to confirm which programs are right for their specific role. Published learning paths remain the best reference to guide their selection and enrollment.

For full details, visit the CWS-CARES Upcoming Changes to Enablement Training Enrollment page on the CWDS website.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your training coordinator or CWDS Training.

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System Updates & Release Notes Now Available on the Production Simulation Hub

The CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub now includes a new System Updates & Release Notes section. This section provides users with a centralized location to find the latest system updates and release notes related to Production Simulation.

To access this resource, visit the link on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS website and select System Updates & Release Notes from the left bar menu.

Available Now: CWS-CARES Release Notes - July 13, 2026

On July 13, 2026, the CWS-CARES Project released a set of updates to the Production Simulation (Prod Sim) environment (CARES 100) and additional updates to the CARES105 (DCVal) environment. The release includes 80 defect fixes aimed at improving reliability, accuracy, and overall usability across Case Management, DocGen (Document Generation), Adoption workflows, Resource Family Approval (RFA), Financial Management.

Most improvements focus on correcting data mappings, fixing permissions, ensuring required fields populate properly, and supporting essential tasks like generating forms, viewing financial information, and receiving system notifications.

For more details, please visit System Updates & Release Notes tab within the Production Simulation Hub in the CWDS website.

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Technical Update

CWS-CARES Weekly Maintenance and System Update Window

Weekly maintenance for the CARES100 and CARES105 environments is now scheduled every Friday after 5:00 PM with major updates expected to finish by Saturday at 8:00 AM. While the systems remain accessible, users may experience minor, temporary performance issues—such as slowness or search disruptions—during this time. Any necessary updates to other CWS-CARES environments will be scheduled and communicated separately as they are determined.

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CWS-CARES Functionality

CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 20, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

July 20, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Can County Train-the-Trainer (TTT) conduct training independently, or do they need support from CWS-CARES Trainers?

A: Counties have flexibility. Train-the-Trainers can:

Conduct all Instructor-Led Training (ILT) sessions independently and will receive support from CWS-CARES Trainers who can answer questions during training.
Co-lead with state trainers.
Shadow state trainers while learning the process.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe

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___________________________________________________________________________________________

Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - July 13, 2026

July 13, 2026 Communications

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

In this Weekly Digest:

CWS-CARES Production Simulation and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026
Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification
Recap: Operational Alignment Session
Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9
CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: July 2026 Update
Additional Clarification: Microsoft Word 32/64-bit in CWS-CARES
CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 13, 2026

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CWS-CARES Production Simulation and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026

The CWS-CARES Project has distributed the July 6, 2026 Production Simulation (Prod Sim) update as the project tracks toward CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Go-Live on October 26, 2026. The update includes two key resources.

The How to Access & Self-Enroll in Enablement Guide explains how to sign up for CWS-CARES training. Non Train-the-Trainer (TTT) users should follow their role-based learning path and consult their county training coordinator if needed. TTT users will receive separate communication soon regarding their specific Enablement programs.

The CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status is a document outlining the current capabilities, limitations, and system status as of July 6 for CWS-CARES Prod Sim and other environments. This resource is designed to provide clarity on what to expect, what has changed, and how to understand the current system behavior.

The CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status document covers:

Prod Sim

Prod Sim Revised Onboarding Approach: The onboarding approach is revised with all users being added to the CWS-CARES Prod Sim environment in phases between July 6th and July 16th.
CWS-CARES Support and Data Security Protocols: Users must strictly redact PII/PHI from support tickets, prohibit screenshots or recordings during screen shares, and utilize secure transmission methods for all data transfers.
CWS-CARES Prod Sim Support Options: Support is available through daily Microsoft Teams office hours, regional clinics, and dedicated weekday email channels across six regions.
Known & Expected Issues, Current System Behavior: Highlights of known and expected issues, and current system behaviors users might encounter, focusing primarily on data-related issues.
Resolved Issues: A summary of resolved bugs and defects. Users should report these if any unexpected behavior persists within these specific areas.
Open/Reported Issues, Capabilities Not Available on July 6: An overview of current Prod Sim issues classified by subject area; please note this does not represent the entirety of all reported active issues.
Forms Status: A dedicated status update on the readiness and functionality of project forms.

Environment Specifications

We are sharing information on the current operational status and specifications of the CWS-CARES environments including configuration, data sets, access rights, and feature availability.

Please note that the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status document is a living document, with the next update scheduled for August 4.

For full details, please visit the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026 page on the CWDS website.

Please contact Customer Relations for questions.

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Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification

Following the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026, all users will be added to the CWS-CARES Prod Sim environment (CARES100) this month to ensure staff have enough time to complete their Enablement modules before starting Instructor-Led Training (ILT).

Users will be onboarded on one of two dates depending on their county:

Monday, July 13, 2026: Approximately 10,000 users in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino (including both probation and child welfare staff) will gain access to Prod Sim.
Thursday, July 16, 2026: Approximately 10,000 users from all remaining counties, Tribes, and CDSS (including both probation and child welfare) will gain access to Prod Sim.

Although all users are being activated, individual counties and organizations decide who participates and when they start their activities. To gain access, users must respond to onboarding emails sent on either July 13 or July 16, depending on their rollout date.

Four onboarding Kickoff sessions will be hosted via Microsoft Teams Town Hall, with American Sign Language interpretation provided for all sessions:

Session 1: Monday, July 13 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 2: Tuesday, July 14 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Session 3: Thursday, July 16 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Session 4: Friday, July 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Links to the kickoff meetings and regional office hours are available on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub. Counties and organizations may determine which sessions their staff should attend.

For full details, see the Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification page on the CWDS website.

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Recap: Operational Alignment Session

On July 7, 2026, the CWS-CARES Project hosted the Operational Alignment Session. The session reinforced the purpose of Business Process Re‑engineering (BPR), an OCM activity focused on aligning current statewide operations with validated future CWS-CARES workflows.

During the session, participants reviewed key BPR concepts, upcoming activities, and guidance for preparing for the Delta Sessions, which are designed to help each organization pinpoint where local practices or policies need to align with CARES V1 workflow (Delta Session dates to be announced soon). Participants were also guided on how to use Prod Sim, business process maps, and updated project artifacts to identify operational differences. The team also shared recent workflow updates and a gap analysis framework to ensure organizations are working with the most current information.

A Q&A session followed, covering training, documentation, and communication need. The Project Team committed to providing follow‑ups.

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Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9

Thank you to the 290 stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.

Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 | Registration. Note: 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 June 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 Registration page. Updates will include:

Production Simulation
- Preparations for onboarding
- Available Functionality
- Status of environment fixes
Implementation & Training

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on July 22, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

New Resources Now Available on the CWDS Website

The following resources are now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials page on the CWDS website:

Stakeholder Briefing _8 June 2026 - Q&A - ACC.pdf
Stakeholder Briefing 8 Slides - ACC.pdf

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

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CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: July 2026 Update

The CWS-CARES Project has published an updated overview of system environments as of July 2026. The CWS-CARES Environments for User Access: July 2026 Update provides a point-in-time overview of system environments, including their purpose, access, and availability, to support testing, training, and readiness activities ahead of Go-Live.

This resource is available on the CWS-CARES User Resources of the CWDS website.

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Additional Clarification: Microsoft Word 32/64-bit in CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Word and does not require counties to only use 32-bit Microsoft Word. However, the Project recommends that counties retain 32-bit Word to support legacy documents migrating from the CWS/CMS system. Because those documents were created in an environment that supported 32-bit Word, counties using 64-bit Word may encounter compatibility issues or errors when opening some legacy documents. While these issues may not occur in every instance, the recommendation is intended to help minimize potential disruptions when accessing legacy documents.

Counties may choose to use 64-bit Word if they prefer, with the understanding that compatibility issues with some legacy documents may occur. The Project continues to evaluate long-term options for supporting legacy documents/potential conversion and will communicate any future updates as they become available.

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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 13, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

July 13, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Will Person Merge functionality be available in CWS-CARES to address duplicate client or person records?

A: Yes, Person Merge functionality will be available in CWS-CARES V1.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data

To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:

Redact Ticket Info: Do not send PHI, PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.

We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - July 7, 2026

July 07, 2026 Communications

This communication was sent to CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:

July 7, 2026

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest

In this Weekly Digest :

CWS-CARES Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Schedule Update
CARES Explorer June 2026 Issue Now Available
Registration Now Open for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9
Now Available: 500+ Frequently Asked Questions on the CWDS Page
CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 7, 2026

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CWS-CARES Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Schedule Update

The CWS-CARES project has shared an important update on the train the trainer (TTT) schedule. To support county requests for more preparation time and ensure seamless training experiences, TTT will now be conducted from July 20 to August 28, 2026, shifted from the original July 6th to August 14 timeline.

The adjustment was made to allow counties more time in the Production Simulation environment to complete prerequisites and build system familiarity, to resolve open bugs and data load issues ahead of training, and to shorten the gap between TTT, Instructor-Led Training (ILT), and Go-Live to improve knowledge retention. The potential impact on ILT dates is currently under evaluation.

CWS-CARES Training Coordinators will contact Organization Training Coordinators directly to share specific TTT dates and registration details. Additional preparation steps, including prerequisites, recommended Enablement Program sequencing, and environment access confirmations, will be shared next week.

For the full update, see the CWS-CARES Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Schedule Update article.

If you have any questions about how this training impacts your training plans or prerequisites, please connect with your Training Coordinator or contact CWDS Training.

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CARES Explorer June 2026 Issue Now Available

We are pleased to present the Volume 3, Issue 3 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: A Closer Look at the Path to Go-Live
Strong Engagement at CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefings

Implementation Corner:

Preparing for Success: Training Comes into Focus
Understanding Organizational Change Management (OCM) and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)

Explore CWS-CARES:

Support for County Forms in CWS/CMS Now Available
CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey #3: Next Steps

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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Registration Now Open for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9

We encourage you to attend the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026! Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 | Registration. Note: 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 July 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 | Registration page. Updates will include:

Production Simulation
- Preparations for onboarding
- Available Functionality
- Status of environment fixes
Implementation & Training

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on July 22, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

Please contact Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov with any questions.

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Now Available: 500+ Frequently Asked Questions on the CWDS Page

CARES Project recently uploaded 500+ new FAQs to the CWDS Frequently Asked Questions page on June 28, 2026. These FAQs are drawn from questions recently responded to (within the last year) and cover a range of CWS-CARES topics. The new FAQs are organized into updated categories and tagged by meetings or forums for easier searching.

Stay tuned for additional FAQs will continue to be added as more questions are reviewed.

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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 7, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

July 7, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Who will provide support for the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) and Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Portal once CWS-CARES goes live, including password resets? How does someone get access to the portals?

A: The CWDS Service Desk will be responsible for system support for the RFA and FFPSA portals. Within each portal, should a user need their password reset, there is an option to self-serve a password reset. In most cases this will resolve a user’s password concern, such as forgetting their password. However, if the password reset link is not received by a portal user after 24 hours, the user will need to contact the CWDS Service Desk for additional support.

 For basic troubleshooting and supporting the applicant, i.e., how to complete an application, questions on overall application questions and processes, etc., the County would be responsible for providing that support.

Portal access is granted/received in two distinct methods based on the portal.

RFA Portal – A Resource Family can access the portal via public link on the CWDS and county website(s) and is open for individuals to submit applications for interest in becoming a Resource Family Home. The second way to access the RFA Portal is for a CWS-CARES RFA Worker or RFA Supervisor to initiate an invitation to the prospective portal applicant. It should be noted that this method of invitation is only in the circumstance of an Emergency Placement, otherwise the Applicant would go to the public link to apply. Existing RFH homes with an email address previously provided will be extended an invitation to the portal. This will be done in the CWS-CARES application and dedicated training materials and guides will be provided on how to accomplish this task.

To access an RFA Portal end-to-end demonstration, click the “RFA_Applicant_Portal_-_03-26-2025-_Core_Constituent_Demonstration_for_RFA.mp4” video on the CWS-CARES RFA Demo Videos page.

FFPSA Portal – Access to this portal is by invitation only to Community Based Organizations (CBOs). A CWS-CARES worker will initiate the invitation to the portal by adding the prospective or existing Service Provider to CWS-CARES, including their email. Once the email address has been added to CWS-CARES, the provider will receive an email inviting them to the FFPSA Portal. With this invitation email, the provider will be able to establish their password and update any applicable information. CWS-CARES will provide CARES workers with the necessary training materials and guides on how to accomplish this task. 

To access a FFPSA demonstration, click the “02_23_2026_FM_FFPSA_Portal_CC_Demo_Recording.mp4” video on the CWS-CARES Financial Management Demo Videos page.

To view all of the CWS-CARES FAQs, please visit the CWDS website: CWS-CARES FAQs | CWDS Website.

Have a question? Send it to CWDS Customer Relations and we will be happy to help.

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Please Note

When working with the CARES support teams we ask that you take the following precautions to protect CARES case data:

Do not share sensitive data (PHI / PII) or other case details with the Service Desk, either directly or via email. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system. The Service Desk can only receive fully redacted information.
If performing a screen share at the request of the support team, ensure minimum necessary practices are followed, including that only those that need to see the information are present. Screenshots or recordings of the meetings where sensitive/confidential information is present is not permitted.
If sensitive information is required by third tier support (e.g., case numbers), ensure that it is shared via secured methods – please contact your county Privacy officer or the CWDS ISO for guidance as needed.

News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - June 29, 2026

June 29, 2026 Communications

In this Weekly Digest:

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #9 
CWS-CARES Prod Sim & Environment Status Update – 6/22/2026
Train-the-Trainer Enablement Kickoff Sessions Recap
CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.11 Now Available
The June 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available
CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: June 2026 Update
CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: June 29, 2026

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CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #9

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 – June 24, 2026: 

Thank you to everyone who attended CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026! We were pleased to have 452 participants across 43 counties and over 5+ partner organizations join the session live. We received 53 questions during the session, which we are working to answer and share with you as soon as possible. 

The session recording is now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials | Child Welfare Digital Services page under Stakeholder Briefing #8.

CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 – July 22, 2026: 

Registration is now open for the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing! We encourage you to attend Stakeholder Briefing #9 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Register now. Note: 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. Updates will include: 

Production Simulation
- Preparations for onboarding
- Available Functionality
- Status of environment fixes 
Implementation & Training

View the full agenda on CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9: July 2026. We hope to see you on July 22, 2026! 

Please contact Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov with any questions.

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CWS-CARES Prod Sim & Environment Status Update – 6/22/2026

The CWS-CARES Project distributed an important update on June 22, 2026 regarding the status of the CWS-CARES Production Simulation (Prod Sim, or CARES 100) and other environments as the project tracks toward CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Go-Live on October 26, 2026.

The update includes a detailed living document outlining the current capabilities, limitations, and system status as of June 22 for Prod Sim and other environments. The document covers:

Known & Expected Issues, Current System Behavior: Highlights of known and expected issues, and current system behaviors users might encounter, focusing primarily on data-related issues.
Resolved Issues: A summary of resolved bugs and defects. Users should report these if any unexpected behavior persists within these specific areas.
Open/Reported Issues, Capabilities Not Available on June 22: A generalized overview of current Prod Sim issues classified by subject area; please note this does not represent the entirety of all reported active issues.
Forms Status: A dedicated status update on the readiness and functionality of project forms.
Environment Specifications

Please note that the document is a living resource and will be updated regularly, with the next updates scheduled for July 6 and August 4.

For the full update and attached documents, visit the CWS-CARES Prod Sim & Environment Status Update – 6/22/2026 page on the CWDS website.

Please contact Customer Relations for questions: CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov.

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Train-the-Trainer Enablement Kickoff Sessions Recap

On June 17, 2026, the CWS-CARES Project hosted two Train‑the‑Trainer (TTT) Enablement Kickoff sessions, welcoming 650+ attendees across both sessions. Participants reviewed the purpose of TTT Enablement, learned how to log into the Training Environment (CARES 104), viewed a live demonstration of the Enablement Programs, and received an overview of the support model that will be available to trainers in the coming weeks.

About Train-the-Trainer Enablement

TTT is designed to provide county trainers and key staff early access and hands‑on practice with CWS-CARES before formal training begins. This preparation is delivered through Enablement Programs, which are built‑in, on‑screen training guides within CARES that walk users through real workflows using step‑by‑step instructions. This approach helps trainers build confidence and ensures organizations are well-equipped to support their teams.

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CWS-CARES Data Dictionary Version 0.11 Now Available

CWS-CARES Data Dictionary V0.11 is now available on the Microsoft Teams Channel: CARES Data Dictionary under the “Shared” tab as of Monday, June 29, 2026. Check the Intro tab of the CWS-CARES Data Dictionary for the detailed list of updates included in the new version.

Here are some highlights for the updates:

Added New Data Usage column to the Columns tab to improve visibility into field usage.
Renamed the Length Notation tab to Additional Information.

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The June 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 June Progress and Engagement Summary  features engagement analytics for the May 2026 reporting period across the following subject areas:

Project Communications
Stakeholder Briefing #7 – May 2026
Forms and Data
External Systems, Interfaces, and Analytics
Implementation, OCM, and Training Activities
Production Simulation

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

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CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: June 2026 Update

The CWS-CARES Project has published an updated overview of system environments as of June 2026. The CWS-CARES Environments for User Access: June 2026 Update provides a point-in-time overview of system environments, including their purpose, access, and availability, to support testing, training, and readiness activities ahead of Go-Live.

This resource is available on the CWS-CARES User Resources of the CWDS website.

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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: June 29, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

June 29, 2026 FAQ of the Week:

Q: Who will be responsible for adding users to the FFPSA and RFA portals?

A: The County Administrator will be responsible for adding county users to county FFPSA and RFA portals.

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 and we will be happy to help.

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News, CARES, CWS-CARES

CWS-CARES Weekly Digest - June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026 Communications

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

In this Weekly Digest:

CWS-CARES Production Simulation Revised Dates & Key Details - 6/12/2026
Action Required: CWS-CARES Technical Readiness Resource Document Update
Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8
CWS-CARES Data and Technical Contacts
CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: June 15, 2026

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CWS-CARES Production Simulation Revised Dates & Key Details - 6/12/2026

Following the June 5, 2026 communication regarding the postponement of the Production Simulation (Prod Sim) launch, the CWS-CARES Project distributed an update on Friday, June 12, 2026 providing revised dates and key details for Prod Sim and related environments through CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Go-Live on October 26, 2026.

Prod Sim Environment – Revised Dates

June 22, 2026: Counties begin hands-on validation of converted legacy data

July 6, 2026: Additional county users join testing; Self-Paced Training curriculum and the ability to run forms, reports, and extracts will be available

August 3, 2026: Prod Sim access opens for all 25,000 CWS/CMS users through Go-Live on October 26, 2026.

September 26, 2026: ‘Sealed & Sensitive’ cases and referrals will be added to Prod Sim

Other Environments – Revised Dates

June 15, 2026: The V1 Readiness (EUST 3) Environment will be decommissioned to migrate interface connections for upcoming training

June 15 – August 7, 2026: New IBM-converted CWS/CMS forms will be available in County Forms Development Environment 102 on a rolling basis for county testing and validation

June 16, 2026: Training Environment (CARES 104) opens for Train-the-Trainer (TTT) staff to begin perquisite training

For full details, refer to the email sent by Customer Relations on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 4:08 PM with the subject: CWS-CARES Production Simulation Revised Dates & Key Details – 6/12/2026.

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Action Required: CWS-CARES Technical Readiness Resource Document Update

The CWS-CARES Implementation team distributed an updated Technical Readiness Resource document on June 5, 2026, to CARES Implementation Coordinators and Implementation Technical Coordinators. Updates in this version include changes to processor hardware requirements, software requirements, and secondary workstation and remote VPN URLs.

Action Required: Please complete the updated Technical Readiness Resource CARES V1 – June 2026 Update document and return it to your assigned Implementation Lead no later than June 26, 2026.

For full details and instructions, refer to the email sent by the OTSI CWDS Implementation team on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 4:53 PM with the subject: Action Required: CARES Technical Readiness Resource Document Update (due no later than June 26, 2026).

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Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8

Thank you to the 230+ stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, June 24, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.

Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 | Registration. Note: 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 June 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #8 Registration page. Updates will include:

Project Status Update

Preparing for Production Simulation

Production Simulation Demo

Training

Organizational Change Management (OCM)

Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on June 24, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.

New Resources Now Available on the CWDS Website

The following resources are now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials | Child Welfare Digital Services page on the CWDS website:

Stakeholder Briefing #7 Presentation Slides

Stakeholder Briefing # 7 Q&A

Stakeholder Briefing #6 Q&A – Update

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

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CWS-CARES Data and Technical Contacts

As CWS-CARES approaches Go-Live, counties and organizations may have questions across a range of data and technical topics. The following contacts can assist with specific CWS-CARES topics and questions:

Data Conversion or Converted Data: Data Conversions Workgroup – OSICWDSDataConversion@otsi.ca.gov

Data Dictionary, Field Definitions, Data Types, Field Lengths, Data Mapping, or SqlDBM Access: Data Management Team – CWDSDataManagement@otsi.ca.gov

Data Extracts: Data Extracts Workgroup – OTSICWDSCARESDataExtracts@otsi.ca.gov

Forms: Forms Workgroup – OTSICWDSCARESForms@otsi.ca.gov

Functional or Business Process Questions: Product Delivery Lead (PDL) Team – CARESPDL@otsi.ca.gov

Reports, Dashboards, or Tableau: CWDS Analytics Transition (CAT) Workgroup – OSICWDSAnalyticsTransition@otsi.ca.gov

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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: June 15, 2026

This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.

June 15, 2026 FAQ of the Week: 

Q: Is DocuEdge single sign-on?

A: Yes. DocuEdge supports Single Sign-On (SSO) within CWS-CARES. DocuEdge functionality is accessed directly through the CWS-CARES interface, and users do not need to sign in separately to DocuEdge.

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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News, CARES, CWS-CARES

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