A: These lists were shared as part of the EUST 3 Report Out presentation – please reference this document for the itemization of the essential, refinement, and enhancement development tickets produced by EUST 3 feedback.

Regarding training materials, the Training Team will incorporate updates based on the functionality available at the time materials are finalized. Any changes implemented after training materials are completed will be captured in supplemental job aids, release notes, or updated training content as needed prior to Go‑Live. This ensures training remains accurate and aligned with the final solution.

A: Production Simulation is intended to supersede the Sandbox environment, which will be retired once Production Simulation is activated. It is important to note that Business Process Validation (previously called Process Simulation) is not a standalone environment. Instead, it is an activity conducted within the Production Simulation environment to validate workflows. 
 
Unlike temporary testing sites, the Training environment is a permanent resource that will remain available after CWS-CARES V1 go-live to support onboarding and continued learning using generic (non-production) data and artificial cases. 
 
Environment Summary: 

1. Sandbox: Temporary testing environment; will be replaced by Production Simulation. 

2. Production Simulation (Pending Federal Approval): Real-data practice environment that will be retired once CWS-CARES is live. 

3. Training: Ongoing staff development environment using non-production data. 

4. EUST: Extended User Scenario Testing environment, scheduled to retire after EUST 3. 

A: Following go-live, counties and organizations will maintain access to multiple environments in addition to Production. This multi-environment structure enables them to develop and test county-specific forms and reports, conduct ongoing practice sessions and staff training, and support continuous learning without disrupting live operations.

Available non-production environments include:

• Training Environment – For staff training and onboarding
• County/Organization Dev Environment – Specifically for forms and report authors to continue development work. This environment will have non-production (test/simulated) data
• Readiness Environment – For ongoing practice and readiness activities. This environment will have production data (refreshed from the Production environment at a yet TBD interval). Can also be used for testing county-developed forms and reports against production data

A: CWS-CARES training is offered through both instructor-led sessions (in-person and virtual) and self-paced online (Salesforce Enablement) courses. All Project-provided training resources will be virtual.

Knowledgeable proctors will be available. Project-provided Proctors will participate in Train-the-Trainer to prepare for supporting statewide CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) training and will be backed by a Training Support Hub staffed with Senior Trainers to address more complex questions. For more information, contact OTSI CWDS Training.

A: As we begin planning for each EUST period, we will reach out to Core Constituents to request their participation and provide a summary of the functionality included in that period. The team will engage with specific Service Area users as needed in future EUST periods to gather diverse insights and scenarios.  It will be important that the users participating have direct experience with the Service Area being tested and are familiar with executing the related functions in practice, ensuring that their time and efforts are used most effectively. 

Additionally, we are collaborating with our Systems Integration partner to provide at least 4 weeks’ advance notice on specific topics, allowing counties sufficient time to arrange for the appropriate subject matter experts to participate in each review. 

A: Yes. Preparation of the Training Environment with “real-life” scenarios plays a vital role in the CARES V1 approach to Instructor-led Training. A fluid, functional CARES V1 Training environment will be developed as part of live, lab-based, Instructor-led Training that includes: 
•    Data creation for all end-users 
•    Script development partnering with the Product as a Service System Integrator (PaaS-SI) team 
•    Data development for key functional areas 
•    Data creation for Train The Trainer (TTT) trainers 
•    Data creation for Sandbox/Readiness 
•    Data creation for trainers to practice 
•    Data refresh schedule

A: CARES V1 Training will follow an immersive learning approach to create a comprehensive learning experience to support all CARES V1 user groups. Introductory and foundational CWS-CARES training will begin with on-demand, self-directed, learning for end-users that follows end-to-end child welfare workflows directly within the CWS-CARES system. Instructor-led training (ILT) will expand learning by building upon the foundational training with a focus on cross-functional and complex areas, and individual skill building. This will be followed by Post Go-live support training, including Command Center, coaching (over-the-shoulder) with superusers, and some in-app text help. Training may also include the following:
•    Make-up training 
•    Refresher training
•    Administrative training
•    Back-end administrator training for each county

A: CWS-CARES will analyze user needs to identify the training activities and resources required to support these technical users.

A: Here are the major training activities planned for CWS-CARES: 
•    Self-directed Training for end-users: Up to 40 hours of self-paced training completed prior to Instructor-led Training (ILT)
•    Train the Trainers (TTT): Early 2026
•    Instructor-led Training (ILT) for end-users: Approximately 12 weeks prior to Go-live
•    Post Go-Live support for end-users: To include superusers, coaching, and command center

A: CWS-CARES will provide training for the CWS-CARES system using a hybrid training approach. The CWS-CARES V1 hybrid training approach supports the delivery of training to all 121 Implementation Organizations (Orgs). In alignment with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), Tribal Consultation, and the CARES project, this hybrid approach facilitates a partnership across the Regional Training Academies, Juvenile Probation, Organizations, and the CARES project training team to deliver training statewide. CalSAWS will provide training for the changes in CalSAWS for external users.