Frequently Asked Questions
External System Monthly Meeting
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.
Q: Will staff be able to enter real data into Production Simulation, or will the simulation environment include test data? For example, if a screening worker enters a report/screening in CWS/CMS, will they be able to enter that same screening (with actual data) in CWS-CARES to be able to better compare real-world scenarios between the two systems?
A: Yes, Production Simulation will be loaded with real data and users will be able to enter real data to practice prior to CWS-CARES Go-Live. However, CWS/CMS will continue to be the statewide system of record for child welfare data until CWS-CARES goes live.
Q: Will the help desk be available to support families once CWS-CARES V1 goes live or are the counties required to support families on their own?
A: The CWS-CARES V1 Service Desk is not intended for families to call in to. This service desk is exclusively for Counties, California Tribes with a Title IV-E Agreement, and CDSS users. Currently, there are tiers of service that provide support within the counties. When an issue extends beyond a county question, the county then would reach out to the service desk. This model also applies to the Production Simulation environment.
Q: Are all the functions of the Binti Family Finding module session (3/26/26) available for CWS-CARES V1 Family Finding functionality?
A: Yes, all the functions of Binti Family Finding are in CWS-CARES V1. Process documentation for CWS-CARES V1 Family Finding functionality is anticipated to be available in the online training tool Enablement, with Production Simulation.
Q: Will the Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System Version 1 (CWS-CARES V1) include a public interface where Resource Family Approval (RFA) applicant families can apply and upload supporting documents and information?
A: Yes. In CWS-CARES Version 1, the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program worker, Applicant, and Resource Family Homes will be able to upload completed forms and documents to CWS-CARES V1.
Q: Will Production Simulation include data from the RFA Greenfield Application and the CARES-Live CANS assessment tool?
A: Yes, all state system data will be in Production Simulation. This includes CWS/CMS, CARES-Live, and RFA Greenfield data.
Q: Will the Production Simulation environment remain available to counties following Go-Live?
A: No, Production Simulation is a practice environment to help users prepare for CWS-CARES. Once Go-Live occurs, this environment will no longer be available. There will be a training environment to support training on an ongoing basis and that training environment will have interface connectivity, using mock data.
Q: Will Production Simulation replace Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 4 or will it be in addition to?
A: Yes. Production Simulation will take place in lieu of EUST 4. Instead of a six-week testing period during EUST 4, organizations will have five months to test in the Production Simulation environment.
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: Will Production Simulation include the counties' Binti data?
A: Yes, the Binti data will be included in the Production Simulation environment once the project has loaded, converted the data, and counties have verified the data. However, we do not anticipate Binti data will be available at the beginning of Production Simulation.