Q: Will the release date of CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) be adjusted?
A: At an ad hoc CWS-CARES Board of Directors meeting on September 3, 2026, the following decisions were voted and approved:
Go-Live Date: The system launch is moved to Monday, December 7, 2026. This later date gives counties more time to complete data validation and continue with readiness activities before the system goes live.
Post–Go-Live Release Strategy: After the December launch, the system will receive two scheduled releases, one in March 2027 and another in May 2027. This approach gives additional time after Go-Live to stabilize the system and thoroughly validate functionality before enhancements are introduced. All planned enhanced stories are expected to be completed by May 1, 2027.
Cutover Plan: For the transition from current systems to CWS-CARES, CWS/CMS will switch into read-only on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 5 PM.
For full details, see the Important Update: CWS-CARES Go-Live Date Adjusted to December 7, 2026 communication on the CWDS website.
Go-Live Date: The system launch is moved to Monday, December 7, 2026. This later date gives counties more time to complete data validation and continue with readiness activities before the system goes live.
Post–Go-Live Release Strategy: After the December launch, the system will receive two scheduled releases, one in March 2027 and another in May 2027. This approach gives additional time after Go-Live to stabilize the system and thoroughly validate functionality before enhancements are introduced. All planned enhanced stories are expected to be completed by May 1, 2027.
Cutover Plan: For the transition from current systems to CWS-CARES, CWS/CMS will switch into read-only on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 5 PM.
For full details, see the Important Update: CWS-CARES Go-Live Date Adjusted to December 7, 2026 communication on the CWDS website.