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.

A: Here are the major training activities planned for CWS-CARES: 
•    Self-directed Training for end-users: Up to 40 hours of self-paced training completed prior to Instructor-led Training (ILT)
•    Train the Trainers (TTT): Early 2026
•    Instructor-led Training (ILT) for end-users: Approximately 12 weeks prior to Go-live
•    Post Go-Live support for end-users: To include superusers, coaching, and command center

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. 

A: The CWS-CARES project roadmap is available on the CWDS website. 

A: Key phase activities for CWS-CARES V1 include the following:
Phase 1: Planning & Preparation (Today – March 2026)
•    Organization Assessment and Go-Live Readiness Checklist 
•    CWS/CMS data clean-up and CWS-CARES data validation 
•    Analysis of County-specific business processes 
•    Training needs analysis and County-specific tailoring of training materials
•    External systems, forms, and reports identification 
•    End User Scenario Testing (EUST) and user feedback activities
Phase 2: Readiness & Cutover (Fall 2025 – October 2026)
•    Readiness & Cutover 
•    Completion of final readiness activities
•    CARES V1 training delivery
•    Evaluation of interim processes impact on planned business processes
•    Data conversion, user configuration, roles analysis, and permissions configuration
Phase 3: Go-Live Support (October 2026 and beyond)
•    Go-Live Support 
•    Post-conversion data cleanup
•    Post-Go-Live communications and training 

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.

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.

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.

A: The Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) Project has a governance structure that includes a Decision-Making Framework (DMF). That process includes various levels of approval, and County leadership participates in the Decision-Making processes and in the project’s Governance.   
 
All Counties going live on CWS-CARES at the same time (Entire State at Once) was approved by the CWDS Board of Directors, with conditions.  That said, the processes leading to that decision were lengthy and thorough.  See below:

• There were numerous meetings with County Child Welfare Directors and/or their deputies.
• The project’s Independent Advisor made the same recommendation using a risk-based analysis regarding impact to child safety by using multiple systems over a period of time.
• Tribal consultation was sought out and included in the decision.

A: The Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) project has been planning for more regular communications starting in Spring 2024. In addition to this, the CWS-CARES Project will be issuing a quarterly newsletter starting in March 2024, and more activities including a Stakeholder Briefing with system demonstrations are planned to begin later this year.