Frequently Asked Questions
Production Simulation
Q: When will the Production Simulation environment go live?
A: The Production Simulation environment went live on June 8th, 2026. This environment will remain active until CWS-CARES Version 1 goes live.
Q: Will data be saved or can users permanently change the data in the Production Simulation environment?
A: No, Production Simulation is a practice environment so the data will not be saved into the permanent case record.
Q: Will Production Simulation include the counties' Binti data?
A: Yes, the Binti data will be included in the Production Simulation environment once the project has loaded, converted the data, and counties have verified the data. However, we do not anticipate Binti data will be available at the beginning of Production Simulation.
Q: Will the Production Simulation environment remain available to counties following Go-Live?
A: No, Production Simulation is a practice environment to help users prepare for CWS-CARES. Once Go-Live occurs, this environment will no longer be available. There will be a training environment to support training on an ongoing basis and that training environment will have interface connectivity, using mock data.
Q: Will Production Simulation include data from the RFA Greenfield Application and the CARES-Live CANS assessment tool?
A: Yes, all state system data will be in Production Simulation. This includes CWS/CMS, CARES-Live, and RFA Greenfield data.
Q: Will Production Simulation testers be able to run all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports and test Tableau reports against practice data entered into the simulation environment?
A: Yes, counties will be able to run and test reports against practice data entered in Production Simulation including all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports and Tableau reports.
Q: Will staff be able to enter real data into Production Simulation, or will the simulation environment include test data? For example, if a screening worker enters a report/screening in CWS/CMS, will they be able to enter that same screening (with actual data) in CWS-CARES to be able to better compare real-world scenarios between the two systems?
A: Yes, Production Simulation will be loaded with real data and users will be able to enter real data to practice prior to CWS-CARES Go-Live. However, CWS/CMS will continue to be the statewide system of record for child welfare data until CWS-CARES goes live.
Q: What is the benefit of validating External System functionality in Production Simulation for systems already assessed by the CWS-CARES V1 Preliminary Scope Assessment and Gap Analysis process?
A: The CWS-CARES V1 Scope Assessments are preliminary and based on functionality descriptions provided by organizations. Production Simulation provides the opportunity for organizations to validate functionality in CWS-CARES V1 prior to go-live, in order to identify any gaps or issues that were not previously identified or documented by the gap analysis process. Use of the Production Simulation environment also allows organizations an early opportunity to validate and finalize business process changes ahead of go-live. This will minimize the effort for Fully-In-Scope decommissioning planning as validated systems can be made inactive or read-only prior to December 31, 2027.
Q: Which Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) iteration will counties see Opeeka/IP-Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) in?
A: The Integrated Practice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) functionality, delivered through Opeeka, will be available in End User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3.
Q: Is there a specific number of participants expected during Production Simulation?
A: All counties are expected to engage in Production Simulation. The state is working on getting an All County Letter (ACL) that will outline that guidance. We will continue to communicate about this through all county channels.