Frequently Asked Questions
User Access & Permissions
Q: Will counties be able to directly access CWS-CARES data to run daily extracts?
A: Counties will have a couple of ways to pull data from CWS-CARES. They will be able to create queries and reports using the CWS-CARES reporting tool, Tableau. A county can also ask the CWS-CARES Project Team to be part of the “Data Extracts” workgroup. However, counties should note that the current project efforts in this area are focused on the counties that currently get extracts from CWS/CMS. Therefore, we may not be able to include a county that’s not already a part of this group in time for V1.
Q: Will counties have access to all Regional Center data from the interface?
A: Upon the release of CWS-CARES V1, there will be a data exchange with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) that will add Regional Center data into the system. This Regional Center Listing will include names, address(s), and phone numbers. This information will be gathered from the DDS website and will be updated any time a new location or changes are made to the webpage. At the release of CWS-CARES V1, a more robust interface and data exchange with DDS is not feasible and the project will be looking towards building something more comprehensive in later iterations of CWS-CARES.
Q: How will Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) handle (user) name changes? If someone changes their last name will their login change? Can they change it?
A: Yes. When someone changes their last name, their email will change and therefore the login will change. The last name can be changed by administrators of CARES V1.
Q: Will Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) be moving away from phone and email Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
A: CWS-CARES will not be moving away from phone and email MFA. At this time, the project is only planning to augment, not replace, the current authentication methods of phone and email. CWS-CARES is currently evaluating the use of tokens, specifically the use of TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords) through an authenticator app and this will be shared with all organizations once available.
Q: Will external partners such as Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) providers and education personnel have access to Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1?
A: For Child Welfare Systems-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) V1, the only planned external access will be for Resources Family Approval (RFA) and Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) providers.
Q: Is Child Welfare Services-California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) going to be accessible while not on the county network?
A: CWS-CARES will be accessible via supported devices connected to the county network*. *Connectivity to the county network may be via a hardwired or a wireless network connection or over the Internet via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection as implemented by counties. Users must be authenticated by the county’s identity and access management system.