Frequently Asked Questions
Data
Q: Will Production Simulation testers be able to run all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports and test Tableau reports against practice data entered into the simulation environment?
A: Yes, counties will be able to run and test reports against practice data entered in Production Simulation including all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports and Tableau reports.
Q: Why is Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) data being changed to read-only in CWS-CARES?
A: In accordance with federal reporting requirements that changed under federal executive orders, the child welfare information system cannot collect certain SOGIE-related data. Because this functionality was already developed for CWS-CARES, it has been moved to read-only, and the system will not allow this data collection until reporting requirements change.
Q: Can California Immunization Registry (CAIRS) immunization reports be uploaded into CWS-CARES rather than hand-entered?
A: For immunizations to appear in the Health and Education Passport (HEP), they must be entered into CWS-CARES. A CAIRS immunization report can be uploaded into the document section of CWS-CARES, but it will not generate as part of the HEP. CAIRS will not be included in CWS-CARES V1, though the Project is considering integrating the functionality in future development.
Q: Will CWS/CMS data overwrite Binti data?
A: Yes. CWS/CMS is the system of record. If a field already exists in CWS/CMS, Binti data will not override it.
Q: Will data entered or changed in the Production Simulation environment be saved or written back to CWS/CMS?
A: CWS/CMS production data will be loaded into the Production Simulation environment, but updates or changes will not be automatically saved in CWS/CMS. Any changes will be lost each time the Production Simulation environment is refreshed with new data. Please note that data entered into the Production Simulation will not transfer to CWS/CMS. Since the simulation is strictly a practice environment, CWS/CMS remains the sole statewide system of record. Consequently, any data required for official records will still require entry into CWS/CMS.
Q: Is it important to ensure all children in Binti have a Client ID?
A: Yes. Client IDs are essential for forming the correct relationships during conversion. The Project will share which counties have missing Client IDs.
Q: When will the legacy data layer be available?
A: The Legacy Data Layer is available in CWS-CARES environments. Documentation is included in the CWS-CARES Data Dictionary and SqlDBM. County Developers have access to this in CARES102 (CountyDev) and this feature will be included in the Production Simulation environment once this is made available to the counties.
Q: Will Binti documents be converted?
A: Yes. Binti documents, often referred to as unstructured data, are planned to be migrated into CWS-CARES.
Q: Will counties receive their data from Binti prior to the Binti Data Mapping - Large Group sessions?
A: No, the data conversion team is not able to share Binti data. Counties will have to coordinate with Binti directly to receive the files due to data security risks.
Q: Can California Department of Social Services (CDSS) branches obtain Tableau licenses and training for more staff than currently use Business Objects, and how will staff access those licenses?
A: CWS-CARES has the CWS-CARES Analytics Transition Workgroup (CAT) with its focus to help Legacy Business Object users to transition to the CWS-CARES Platform. Please email the CWS-CARES Analytics Transition Workgroup for Tableau Training enrollment and other support.