Frequently Asked Questions
Production Simulation
Q: Will Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3 tester feedback on worker permissions be reviewed and considered for changes prior to Go-Live?
A: The Project team will take all feedback into consideration. Each item of feedback will be reviewed and prioritized by the Project team to identify any critical gaps that would need to be addressed prior to Go-Live, and what can be delivered after to enhance user experience at a later date.
Q: Are the Training Open Office hours the same as the Office Hours being held for EUST 3?
A: The office hours are different for EUST as they are slated for individuals who are enrolled in participating in EUST 3 whether that be admin, general, or report. The Training Office Hours are specific to answering county questions about the Training Curriculum Assignments for the planning of virtual instructor-led training for CWS-CARES V1 Go Live.
Q: Is the data in the Production Simulation mock data or actual data from Binti and CWS/CMS?
A: The data in Production Simulation will consist of data brought over from Binti and CWS/CMS.
Q: Will Production Simulation be canceled if the project does not receive federal approval?
A: The State intends to utilize state funds in order to proceed with Production Simulation and is not dependent on federal approval.
Q: Production Simulation is open to all 58 counties. Does that mean all staff in all counties will have access?
A: All organizations will have access to Production Simulation. Full access will be granted to all current Child Welfare Services/ Case Management System (CWS/CMS) users or people who join the organization in roles that would be equivalent to CWS/CMS users. Production Simulation access will be granted in Phases, with roughly 2,800 users participating in Phase 1 and the remaining county and organization users accessing the Production Simulation environment in Phase 2 beginning July 6, 2026.
Q: Will Production Simulation replace Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 4 or will it be in addition to?
A: Yes. Production Simulation will take place in lieu of EUST 4. Instead of a six-week testing period during EUST 4, organizations will have five months to test in the Production Simulation environment.
Q: Will the new Production Simulation environment impact the training plan?
A: Yes, Production Simulation will impact the training plan. The project will be making updates with the training workgroup to take the training plan impact into consideration.
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.