Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: Is the Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) project planning to offer specific design templates for communications and newsletters, including logos and branding?
A: Counties may request source files on final versions of CWS-CARES topic-specific communication content (Example: An Infographic or CWS-CARES Newsletter). These requests will be evaluated and approved by the project on a case-by-case basis. If the request is approved, the source file will be provided to the requestor along with guidelines and disclaimers on content modification. Graphics and logos, along with guidelines for use, will be available upon request for county/organization to leverage on their communication content related to CWS-CARES. Blank, ready-to-use project branded templates (Examples: CWS-CARES or CWDS PowerPoint or Word templates) will not be shared for County and Organization use because someone might interpret a county-created message as an official CWDS project message if the project branded template is used.
Q: How will Probation Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) be involved in the Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) project?
A: CWS-CARES supports the automation of Probation child welfare functions, and the CWS-CARES project benefits from the input of Probation in CWS-CARES research and design activities for many different areas including case management, activities, and placement. Probation subject matter experts (SMEs) will be invited to specific design sessions at the discretion of the child welfare core county constituent(s) assigned to the module with an understanding from the CWS-CARES project that there are outstanding program and policy question on Probation workers use of CWS-CARES. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB) is talking with leadership regarding changes to CWS-CARES requirements that may result as part of discussions. The CWS-CARES team will prioritize the implementation of revised policy direction from CDSS as decisions are made.
Q: What service areas are included in Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES)?
A: The service areas for CWS-CARES include Intake, Case Management, Resource Management, Financial Management, Eligibility, Courts, Data Management, CARES Administration, External Stakeholder Coordination, and Resource Family Approval. High-level descriptions of each service area may be found on the CWDS.ca.gov website at CWS-CARES Service Areas.
Q: How is the CWS-CARES project communicating information to keep staff such as executives, mid-level managers, and other stakeholders informed about the project?
A: CWS-CARES information is being disseminated through CWS-CARES project teams such as Organizational Change Management (OCM), Strategic Communications, State Communications, and CWDS FAQs. For the latest CWS-CARES updates, please visit our CARES User Resources page.
Q: How is Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) supporting changes to business processes for counties, California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Tribes with Title IV-E Agreements with CDSS, and probation?
A: The CWS-CARES project’s organizational change management (OCM) team is working with each group and organization to develop and map “as-is” and “to-be” business processes.
Q: Can you provide milestones broken down into functionality that is easily understood?
A: Milestones can be referenced in the CWDS Roadmap and described in the Monthly Legislative Updates posted on the CWDS website.
Q: What is the schedule for implementing Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1 and V2?
A: CWS-CARES V1 will use a statewide rollout approach, which means all end users will implement V1 at the same time. CWS-CARES V1 is scheduled to go-live in October 2026 and V2 is scheduled to go-live in April 2028.
Q: What is the scope of Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1 and V2?
A: CWS-CARES Version 1 (V1) is intended to cover the functionality required to decommission CWS/CMS, support new policies and programs, such as Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), and lay the foundation for full Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) compliance in CWS-CARES V2 (V2). While V2 scope is still being finalized, V2 is intended to build on the core functionality built in V1 and expand on additional capabilities such as advanced analytics and continued decommissioning of interfaces and external systems. V1 goes live in October 2026.
Q: How is the project prioritizing the timely development and implementation of the Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES)?
A: As reflected in the CWDS Project Roadmap, the project has finalized a timeline and implementation approach that prioritizes project milestones. Additionally, the CWS-CARES project has involvement from State and Federal oversight entities that monitor progress and ensure that the project stays on schedule.