Frequently Asked Questions
External System Monthly Meeting
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: Will out of scope external systems be built into CWS-CARES beyond CWS-CARES Version 1?
A: The scope for CWS-CARES beyond V1 has not been finalized. External systems currently identified as out of scope for CWS-CARES V1 will be reevaluated for duplicative functionality following the release of future CWS-CARES scope.
Q: If there is not one statewide behavioral health system, what will P-CIS connect to?
A: Currently, California does not have a statewide behavioral health system. In partnership with Opeeka, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is implementing the Person-Centered Intelligence Solution (P-CIS) into CWS-CARES as an interface. Once users log in to the CWS-CARES single sign on, they will have access to P-CIS. The CWS-CARES will send the required data to generate the CANS Assessment to the P-CIS system. The assessment itself is generated, completed, and approved in P-CIS.
Q: Who is responsible for ensuring current Resource Family Approval (RFA) caregivers in Binti counties are informed about CWS-CARES account access? What is the communication approach for informing RFA applicants that there will be a transition from Binti to CWS-CARES?
A: Approved Resource Family Homes (RFHs)/applicants with an email address associated with their Binti account will receive communications from the Project and/or county regarding the transition from Binti to CWS-CARES and any actions needed to maintain progress toward approval. As part of this transition, RFHs/applicants will receive an invitation to the RFA portal and will follow the steps to create a CWS-CARES portal account. It is expected that information previously submitted in Binti will be available to them within the CWS-CARES portal.
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: 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: Will the California Department of Education (CDE) interface replace Foster Focus?
A: No, the California Department of Education (CDE) and Foster Focus serve different purposes. The CDE interface available in CWS-CARES V1 will not replace Foster Focus. Foster Focus is expected to continue operating after CWS-CARES Go-Live. Additionally, the Sacramento County Office of Education is leading the work on updating Foster Focus to accept new CWS-CARES Version 1 data. The CDE Interface will provide updated school (resource) data elements within CWS-CARES, similar to what is currently in CWS/CMS. This information will not include child specific school or grade level information.
Q: Has there been any change to the requirements for completing Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessments prior to the completion of a case plan? The timing of these assessments are a concern and potential barrier for jurisdiction, disposition, and voluntary Family Maintenance.
A: The Project is aware of this county concern and is currently working on a solution to allow case plans to be completed before a Child and Adolescent Strengths (CANS) assessment is completed.
Q: When will the Production Simulation environment go live?
A: The Production Simulation environment went live on June 8th, 2026. This environment will remain active until CWS-CARES Version 1 goes live.
Q: Will the new Production Simulation environment impact the training plan?
A: Yes, Production Simulation will impact the training plan. The project will be making updates with the training workgroup to take the training plan impact into consideration.