Frequently Asked Questions
Stakeholder Briefing
Q: If feedback is submitted during Production Simulation, can system modifications still be evaluated for resolution before CWS-CARES V1 Go-Live?
A: Feedback will be evaluated and considered based on criticality.
Q: Can County Administrators adjust staff roles themselves to validate that ability in Production Simulation?
A: Yes. This is part of Production Simulation scenarios and business process activities, and County Administrators are encouraged to test different permissions. Note that changes to existing permissions may not carry over to Go-Live, though the Project will carry over as much as possible to minimize duplicate work.
Q: Will CWS-CARES look different from CWS/CMS?
A: Yes. CWS-CARES will look and feel very different from CWS/CMS. CWS/CMS is a Windows-based, mainframe-dependent system, while CWS-CARES is a modern, web-based system built using Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) technology on Salesforce. Users new to Salesforce are encouraged to take the Salesforce navigation training before the CWS-CARES-specific training. CWS-CARES also introduces expanded features and integrations, including connections with Structured Decision Making (SDM), Case Management Assessment (CMA), and Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED), with a more modern interface designed to make day-to-day tasks easier.
Q: When a data refresh occurs, will the most recent CWS/CMS data be loaded into CWS-CARES, or will the environment reset to the data originally loaded for Production Simulation?
A: The Project plans one or two refreshes only, when needed, recognizing counties' preference to minimize refreshes. When a full data refresh occurs, the most recent updates from all legacy systems will be converted and applied to the environment, giving counties another opportunity to validate the most recent data.
Q: At Go-Live, when CWS/CMS is in read-only mode over the weekend, which system will be the database of record?
A: The current plan is that CWS/CMS will enter read-only mode the Friday before Go-Live (the exact date and time are being finalized). By the Monday Go-Live, CWS-CARES will be the system and database of record.
Q: Will counties be able to view and track their own staff's completion of Production Simulation training?
A: Yes. A tracking system will be provided for counties to track their staff's completion of training.
Q: For CWS/CMS functionality not integrated until CWS-CARES V2 (such as the S-Wraparound Program Special Project Code), where will counties enter that data when CWS/CMS is read-only?
A: The Project believes the special project code has already been implemented but will confirm whether anything remains outstanding. The goal is to ensure both the functionality in CWS/CMS and the associated data are in place. Counties with a specific scenario are encouraged to share it with the Project.
Q: Is there a timeline for phase 1 and phase 2 of onboarding, or does each county determine the length of each phase?
A: Phase 1 is starting in early May. Phase 2 will open after the end of May, once the converted data becomes available, as long as County Administrators are ready. The Project will share more as these dates are finalized.
Q: Since Structured Decision Making (SDM), CARES-Live, and Binti data is slated for summer 2026, will synthetic data for these systems be in the environment until then?
A: Counties are encouraged to practice using synthetic data — for example, CWS/CMS cases and referrals to initiate interfaces. Historical data within those interfaces will not be available.
Q: At Go-Live, what system will be available to document reports if CWS/CMS is read-only the weekend prior?
A: All CWS/CMS data entered on or before the Friday read-only mode begins will be converted to CWS-CARES and available on the Monday when CWS-CARES goes live. CWS-CARES will be available to document reports and provides a wide set of state forms and reports for users to generate, and counties have the option to create county-specific forms and reports.