Frequently Asked Questions
Data
Q: May we please have a reminder outlining the expected items to continue testing in Mock cycles in Production Simulation?
A: Users are free to validate data at their own discretion, as there are no formal test cases to execute. For example, users may compare a record in CWS-CMS with the corresponding record in CWS-CARES Production Simulation to validate that the data matches. Based on county requests, resources will be available on the Production Simulation Hub, including EUST scenarios, navigation guides, walkthrough meeting recordings, and source-to-target mappings that detail source and target fields, as well as data transformations. In addition, Enablement Programs will become available to help guide users through the system.
Q: Will there be training on how to execute conversion validation and log issues?
A: There is no formal training on how users are expected to validate converted records in Production Simulation. However, users will be trained how to submit and log issues.
Q: Is there a data validation process for CARES-Live Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS)?
A: Converted CARES-Live data will be available for validation in Production Simulation environment after Phase 2 begins in July 2026.
Q: How long does created data last within the CARES104 Training Environment?
A: There are currently no plans to remove created data in the training environment.
Q: Regarding the Decommissioning Activities Timeline, can decommissioning activities for external systems begin before February 2027?
A: Yes, decommissioning activities can begin prior to February 2027. Organizations (California Department of Social Services, Counties, Tribes with California Title IV-E Agreement(s)) are encouraged to begin validating fully In-Scope functionality in the Production Simulation environment. Early validation can provide opportunity to minimize duplicate data entry, revise and finalize business processes in preparation for Go-Live, and/or move forward with plans to set fully In-Scope system(s) to read-only or decommission.
Q: If counties want to keep Binti in read-only mode beyond April 2027 for data clean-up efforts, will that be allowed?
A: Yes, continued use of Binti in a read-only capacity beyond the CWS-CARES V1 Go-Live date will be at the county’s own expense.
Q: Not all data is shared bi-directionally via Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) from CalSAWS to CWS-CARES. How will workers know what can be transmitted via FCED versus what needs to be manually shared via e-mail or other processes?
A: The Project is working on developing a document and business process guidance that identifies what information and data elements is exchanged between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS. Any information not supported by the interface must continue to be shared through existing county processes. Additionally, the July 2026 FCED Newsletter can be referenced to see which APIs have a unidirectional flow of information between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS.
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. Please see below for a list of file types that can be uploaded into CWS-CARES. If you believe that an additional file type is needed, please engage the User Feedback process.
- .pdf – Adobe PDF
- .doc/.docx – Microsoft Word
- .xls/.xlsx – Microsoft Excel
- .jpeg/.jpg – Images
- .txt – Text files
- .mov/.mkv/.mp4 – Movie & Audio files
Q: Is Binti Family Finding functionality part of CWS-CARES scope?
A: Yes, the Binti Family Finding module is in scope and part of CWS-CARES data conversion effort.
Q: When was the Family Finding module added?
A: The Binti Family Finding module was part of the original scope for Binti data conversion, it was not added later on.