Frequently Asked Questions
Q: In CWS-CARES, if contacts still aren’t appearing, and it’s been indicated as already having “a fix”, how is that being resolved?
A: If a solution was identified and you're still finding an issue with that functionality, please inform the Project of that issue by submitting a ServiceNow ticket so that you can be helped and the issue can be addressed.
Q: When do counties need to start submitting tickets to ServiceNow? And how long will office hours be used for questions/issue logging?
A: Counties can begin submitting ServiceNow tickets as soon as they are comfortable doing so. At this time, office hours end dates have not been finalized.
Q: For Self-Paced courses, will Organizations determine who will take which learning path?
A: The Learning Paths include recommendations on which users, based on permissions, should take which Self-Paced courses. Organizations will make the final determination on who from their Organization needs to take which courses.
Q: In the Kin-GAP process map, the CWS-CARES user sends over a change in program before they discontinue the Foster Care case. Do we know what happens in CalSAWS when the "change of program" is received?
A: To process the change in program information, CWS-CARES will send information through the Foster Care Eligibility Record to inform CalSAWS about closing the case. CWS-CARES will also send a new Case Link request for a newly opened Kin-GAP Eligibility Record to initiate CalSAWS opening a Kin-GAP case.
Q: If the same form is created in CWS-CARES and CalSAWS, will both systems have duplicates?
A: No, CWS-CARES will generate forms that support CWS-CARES business processes. Forms generated in CWS-CARES will not also be generated by CalSAWS as part of the interface.
Q: Will users in CalSAWS and CWS-CARES have to keep both systems up-to-date manually?
A: No, information supported by the Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) interface will be transmitted automatically between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS. Information that is not included in the interface will continue to require existing county business processes.
Q: When testing Foster Care Eligibility and Determination (FCED), will the CWS-CARES Service Desk be able to answer questions about CalSAWS?
A: The CWS-CARES Service Desk will be able to assist with some questions regarding CalSAWS, but any issues or defects related to CalSAWS will need to be forwarded to the CalSAWS team. The Project will coordinate with interface partners to streamline that process.
Q: Not all data is shared bi-directionally via Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) from CalSAWS to CWS-CARES. How will workers know what can be transmitted via FCED versus what needs to be manually shared via e-mail or other processes?
A: The Project is working on developing a document and business process guidance that identifies what information and data elements is exchanged between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS. Any information not supported by the interface must continue to be shared through existing county processes. Additionally, the July 2026 FCED Newsletter can be referenced to see which APIs have a unidirectional flow of information between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS.
Q: Is the redetermination process in Map 7 in the packet of Eligibility Process Maps inclusive of Change of Placements, Changes in Level of Care (LOC), and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP)?
A: Yes. This process map is inclusive of Level of Care (LOC) and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). You can download the process maps used during this session on the CWS-CARES Process Information Sessions Webpage within the Implementation Portal.
Q: Is the Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) interface sending information from CWS-CARES into CalSAWS, or just from CalSAWS into CWS-CARES?
A: In general, the interface is bidirectional, meaning information will be flowing both ways. CWS-CARES will send certain information to CalSAWS, and CalSAWS will send certain information to CWS-CARES. For Issusance Data specifically, the flow of information is strictly from CalSAWS to CWS-CARES. There are some APIs where the flow of information is strictly unidirectional, this information can be found within the July 2026 FCED Newsletter.