Q: What is the scope of Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1 and V2?
A: CWS-CARES Version 1 (V1) is intended to cover the functionality required to decommission CWS/CMS, support new policies and programs, such as Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), and lay the foundation for full Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) compliance in CWS-CARES V2 (V2). While V2 scope is still being finalized, V2 is intended to build on the core functionality built in V1 and expand on additional capabilities such as advanced analytics and continued decommissioning of interfaces and external systems. V1 goes live in October 2026.