Frequently Asked Questions
Intake
Q: Why are there so many different names for what seems like the same function? (e.g. Intake/Hotline/Screening)
A: Historically, counties have used different names for the same core function (receiving, assessing, and routing referrals) — some emphasize “hotline,” others “intake” or “screening.” The FAQ page standardizes on the term “Intake.”
Q: Is a .gov email address required to subscribe to the Weekly Digest?
A: No. A .gov email address is not required to receive the Weekly Digest. It is freely available to anyone and can be subscribed to using the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Subscription Form.
Q: What are the requirements from the State for entering Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) information and uploading CACI documents in CWS-CARES? Would CWS-CARES need to hold all of the "administrative record," or just those available in CWS-CARES currently, request and notices.
A: Regarding State requirements for entering Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) information in CWS-CARES, there are no requirements from the State for entering that information. In CWS/CMS, there is currently an ID page that includes fields for entering this information if a disposition is changed to a grievance. CWS-CARES will also include these fields.
Q: Can there be an additional outcome option such as “amended”? Scenario example: A perpetrator had two allegations substantiated. The perpetrator grieved the results and one substantiated was modified to inconclusive/unfounded, while the other substantiated allegation was sustained. How would this split result be documented within the Internal Review section of CACI if there is no amended option?
A: For a list of definitions on outcome results, these definitions are county specific, so there isn’t a standardized list from the Project. Options for what will be included in this field within CWS-CARES are currently under review and will be shared in future communications. If there is a split result in CWS-CARES, each allegation will be able to have that individual record updated with the values in CWS-CARES and reflect any changes to the allegation conclusion.
Q: To what extent is Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) being coded to assist in identifying and caring for infants/toddlers who have been exposed to substance abuse and alcohol, as required under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act/Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CAPTA/CARA) and needs for “plans of safe care”? If a family is referred due to neglect or severe neglect and substance abuse is identified but their child is already 1 years old what are the assessment/treatment protocols in learning if the child is experiencing symptoms that could be related to prenatal substance abuse exposure?
A: CWS-CARES V1, CWS-CARES functionality will support Plans of Safe Care and the capture of all substance abuse and exposure information (Alcohol and Other Drugs) necessary to complete the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will release additional guidance on opportunities to use CWS-CARES in support of assessment and treatment protocols.
For V1, the state does not plan to build a dedicated medical assessment in CWS-CARES, but the worker could attach any document to a record such as an investigation, case, child health information, etc. in support of any correlations the worker draws between exposure and symptoms. As the CWDS project and the counties identify additional guidance and practices, CWS-CARES will expand functionality to meet additional needs in CWS-CARES V2 and any subsequent releases.
Q: Can workers submit a referral to their supervisor without completing the structured decision making (SDM) tool?
A: Currently, no. Workers need to complete the SDM tool before submitting a referral to their supervisor.
Q: Will online mandated reporting be a feature of the Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1?
A: Currently, there is no plan to incorporate online mandated reporting as a feature of CWS-CARES V1.
Q: Will the screening number be carried through the life of a case record?
A: The screening number will remain the same (for the screening) throughout the life cycle of a child’s involvement with the child welfare system. Should the screening advance to an investigation and/or a case, the investigation and case numbers would be different. CWS-CARES V1 will maintain the history of all “units of work,” including screening, investigations, child welfare cases, court cases and eligibility files, associated with a given person.
Q: Will Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) be able to accept Suspected Child Abuse Reports (SCARs) electronically?
A: Electronic submissions of Suspected Child Abuse Reports (SCARs) is currently out of scope for CWS-CARES V1.