Frequently Asked Questions
Interfaces
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: Los Angeles assigns "Library" to the case on the assignment page, so the case will populate under that specific month, and we know that Redetermination is due that specific month. Will we continue to do this process in CWS-CARES?
A: Counties will continue to manage assignments based on their local business processes. Los Angeles County's current process can continue if it aligns with its CWS-CARES implementation and business needs. Additionally, CalSAWS will inform CWS-CARES of what the Redetermination Due date is, and CWS-CARES supervisors can pull a report of cases each month of redeterminations coming due for their unit that can be used.
Q: When testing Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED), will the CWS-CARES Service Desk be able to answer questions about CalSAWS?
A: The CWS-CARES Service Desk will be able to assist with some questions regarding CalSAWS, but any issues or defects related to CalSAWS will need to be forwarded to the CalSAWS team. The Project will coordinate with interface partners to streamline that process.
Q: Will users in CalSAWS and CWS-CARES have to keep both systems up-to-date manually?
A: No, information supported by the Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) interface will be transmitted automatically between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS. Information that is not included in the interface will continue to require existing county business processes.
Q: If the same form is created in CWS-CARES and CalSAWS, will both systems have duplicates?
A: No, CWS-CARES will generate forms that support CWS-CARES business processes. Forms generated in CWS-CARES will not also be generated by CalSAWS as part of the interface.
Q: Not all data is shared bi-directionally via Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) from CalSAWS to CWS-CARES. How will workers know what can be transmitted via FCED versus what needs to be manually shared via e-mail or other processes?
A: The Project is working on developing a document and business process guidance that identifies what information and data elements is exchanged between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS. Any information not supported by the interface must continue to be shared through existing county processes. Additionally, the July 2026 FCED Newsletter can be referenced to see which APIs have a unidirectional flow of information between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS.
Q: What is the Opeeka Interface?
A: The Opeeka Interface will have the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) assessment highlighted as well as multiple other assessments available (separate from Structured Decision Making (SDM) which have the more change based assessments). This will mirror how the CANS assessment is currently done, pulling it into CWS-CARES using the Opeeka Interface (referring to the system look and feel).
Q: Are name and email alias changes done through Okta? Has this been tested against county AD Azure for any SSO issues?
A: Name changes and email updates can be done in Okta. This has not been test against county AD Azure, as there is no connection to county AD Azure from CWS-CARES.
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 CWS-CARES interface with Binti?
A: Binti is not an approved interface for CWS-CARES V1. CWS-CARES V1 will include complete RFA functionality.