Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility & Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED)
Q: Is the redetermination process in Map 7 in the packet of Eligibility Process Maps inclusive of Change of Placements, Changes in Level of Care (LOC), and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP)?
A: Yes, this process map is inclusive of Level of Care (LOC) and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). You can download the process maps used during this session on the CWS-CARES Process Information Sessions Webpage within the Implementation Portal.
Q: How will the Annual Foster Care Redetermination month be determined in CWS-CARES? Will it be the date the CalSAWS Eligibility Supervisor/Eligibility Worker approves the case?
A: CalSAWS sets the Annual Foster Care Redetermination due date using system validation, but the Eligibility Worker can set it to an earlier due date. Whatever due date is set in CalSAWS will be sent to CWS-CARES.
Q: Why would an Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) 2 form be sent to the caregiver? Are counties required to follow this extra step?
A: The ARC 2 Redetermination: Statement of Facts Supporting Eligibility form is required by state regulations. The process maps reflect the state-required process. Counties should continue following applicable state policy and regulations regarding use of this form. The generation of this form being from CWS-CARES or from CalSAWS is based on county business processes. Additionally, state policy that the ARC 2 form can be completed by the Social Worker (SW) in the event that the Approved Relative Caregiver is unable to do so.
Q: In our county, we don't send a packet of forms to the Non-Related Legal Guardian. Does this process vary by county?
A: Yes, some county business processes vary. The process maps reflect the statewide process and identify where county-specific business practices may differ.
Q: The SOC 158 A and FC 2 forms currently require a signature. If we submit forms through CWS-CARES directly to CalSAWS, will a signature still be required?
A: Yes, required signatures will continue to be required. CWS-CARES supports generating the forms, but counties must continue to follow existing policies regarding obtaining signatures. It should be noted that CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) has the functionality to generate the form for e-signature that the Worker can use as a method of form signature if county procedure allows.
Q: Will the aid codes still come over as 40-non-federal? If eligibility won't be determined until later, will the Eligibility Worker be able to update the aid code after the case is approved by the CalSAWS Eligibility Supervisor?
A: The aid code is determined by CalSAWS. Eligibility Determination and Benefit Calculation (EDBC) will still run to determine an initial aid code while CalSAWS intake is processed (for those counties who issue under non-federal funds initially and finish processing the Foster Care application later). In the State ID section of the Person Record, if no aid code has been received from CalSAWS, the CWS-CARES user can set the aid code to 40 if that is the county business practice. Once CalSAWS sends an aid code to CWS-CARES as a result of running EDBC, then that aid code is reflected on the Eligibility Record and is available to be selected on the Person Record for the State ID. CWS-CARES will continue to work with CalSAWS to determine the appropriate information is sent, including the Legal Authority.
Q: Will the non-Foster Care locations (aka placements) be sent to CalSAWS? If a child is removed from the placement location and sent on an extended visit, we would want the Foster Care placement to discontinue in CalSAWS, but we wouldn't want the non-Foster Care location to populate to CalSAWS because we aren't issuing payment.
A: No, the only placement information required to support Foster Care Eligibility Determination will be transmitted to CalSAWS. Non-Foster Care placement information that is not needed for eligibility or payment purposes will not be sent. More specifically, if a child is moved to an Alternative Care placement, that information will be sent to CalSAWS. If the child is absent from their existing placement, such as for an Extended Visit, that information will not go to CalSAWS. As a note, the CWS-CARES Worker can send Bed Hold information to CalSAWS subject to their county business processes.
Q: What are some examples of eligibility forms that can be generated in CWS-CARES?
A: CWS-CARES will generate forms that support Foster Care Eligibility Determination processes, such as the FC 2, SOC 158A, SOC 369A, and other forms identified in the process maps. Additional forms will be added over time as functionality expands.
Q: Does "redetermination" refer to the annual Foster Care redetermination or redetermining the aid code/funding source?
A: This depends on the context of the task being carried out. CWS-CARES has the functionality to support Annual Foster Care Redetermination, and redetermination can also refer to when CalSAWS redetermines eligibility based on new data from CWS-CARES.
Q: When the user enters the Child’s or Nonminor’s information, will it continue to populate on the FC 2 and SOC 158 forms?
A: Yes, information entered in CWS-CARES will populate the applicable fields on generated eligibility forms, reducing duplicate data entry.