Frequently Asked Questions
Process Information Session (PIS)
Q: Can the FC 8 form be generated by an Eligibility Worker?
A: Who can do what in CARES is dependent on county business process. If the EW needs to generate the FC 8, then we grant them access to CARES to do that. This is why we need to complete the process workgroups to determine who does what, and where the handoffs occur.
Q: If corrections are needed after an AD 4320 form has been set to final status, does the worker need to generate a new form in CWS-CARES?
A: If changes are needed after the form is in final status, a new document will need to be generated in CARES.
Q: How does the Expected End Date field on the AD 4320 form auto-populate, and does it change if the form is completed to extend benefits?
A: The AD 4320 Expected End Date does auto-populate to the child's 18th birthday. AD 4320s that are completed to extend benefits would auto-pop to the child's 21st birthday.
Q: When CWS-CARES is implemented, will Social Workers/SCSWs have access to CalSAWS automatically or will we need a special request?
A: CalSAWS permissions/access are handled by CalSAWS. Social Workers/SCSWs will have the ability to send data to CalSAWS from CARES and receive data from CalSAWS in CWS-ARES. CWS-CARES does not grant any access to the CalSAWS application itself.
Q: Would time study for staff be integrated into CWS-CARES?
A: Time study will not be in CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1).
Q: Will there be an Assistance Cost dashboard and reports for program/fiscal managers?
A: Yes, there will be reports available in CWS-CARES related to assistance costs and caseloads for counties to use.
Q: Will we be able to view aggregate/summary-level data on this in a dashboard or by some other means?
A: Yes, there will be reports through Tableau that will allow you to track this type of information.
Q: Which RM Directory Types will counties be responsible for maintaining, versus those maintained by Child Welfare Digital Services (CWDS), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), or Community Care Licensing (CCL)?
A: Counties will maintain records for service providers, law enforcement agencies, county superior courts, district attorney offices, county offices, and adoption agencies, with much of this information being converted from CWS/CMS. The California Department of Education (CDE) will maintain education provider records, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will maintain information for regional centers, and Community Care Licensing (CCL) will maintain records for licensed facilities such as FFAs, STRTPs, and TTHPs.
Q: Is the process for adding a New Agency in CWS-CARES the same as adding a New Office?
A: Yes, while the video demonstration shows the user selecting “Law Enforcement Agency” for the Organization Type, this is essentially demonstrating how a user would add a new office.
Q: In CWS-CARES, are permissions and access options multi-select?
A: Yes, these permissions and access options are multi-select.