Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can training cohorts that finish before the forms environment is released begin building their forms in the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Design tool, and how will those forms migrate into an environment?
A: The Project recognizes the need for the training environment to be available and is working to provide the tools and platform to users as soon as possible. This item is actively in progress, and the Project will provide an update once the environment is available.
Q: Can additional counties be added to those receiving direct daily data extracts from CWS-CARES?
A: The data extract scope for CWS-CARES V1 is limited to counties that are receiving extracts directly from CWS/CMS today. Counties not currently receiving CWS/CMS mainframe extracts are not in scope for the current CWS-CARES data extract efforts.
Q: Will CWS-CARES store videos (e.g., a cell phone video was provided as evidence for a Juvenile Court case and program staff wanted to upload them)?
A: CWS-CARES allows document uploads of up to 100 MB. Files must be a compatible type; allowable types include PDF, DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, JPEG/JPG, TXT, and MOV/MKV/MP4 video files. Users can upload files into a case record individually or by selecting multiple files at once.
Q: Where will SafeMeasures data be pulled from during the CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Production Pilot?
A: The project is evaluating the feasibility of SafeMeasures data in CWS-CARES for pilot. Regardless, all historic SafeMeasures data will continue to be accessible on the SafeMeasures site. Currently, SafeMeasures data is planned to be available in CWS-CARES V1 Go-Live in October 2026.
Q: For children in Emergency Response (ER) or Intake Services (IS), will Public Health Nurse information — such as active Medi-Cal status, Geographic Managed Care (GMC) plan, assigned provider, and Benefits Identification Card (BIC) number — be available in CWS-CARES?
A: Yes, CWS-CARES will provide a location to document health insurance and service provider information. However, the CWS-CARES V1 scope does not include direct connectivity to a system that would automatically add this information to CWS-CARES.
Q: Once CDSS forms have been moved from CWS/CMS to CWS-CARES, who is responsible for updating them?
A: CDSS statewide forms will be maintained by the Project. Organization-specific forms will be maintained by the organization.
Q: Will the Attorney-Client Log be mandatory for counties to use?
A: No. Counties are not required to maintain an Attorney-Client Log in CWS-CARES. However, it serves as a valuable tool for documenting confidential communications between County Counsel and agency personnel. Access is restricted to authorized individuals directly involved with the case (Primary, Supervisor, or Manager), and the log is protected from discovery and public records requests. This helps ensure that essential legal advice remains documented and accessible to relevant staff while maintaining confidentiality.
Q: Can California Department of Social Services (CDSS) branches obtain Tableau licenses and training for more staff than currently use Business Objects, and how will staff access those licenses?
A: CWS-CARES has the CWS-CARES Analytics Transition Workgroup (CAT) with its focus to help Legacy Business Object users to transition to the CWS-CARES Platform. Please email the CWS-CARES Analytics Transition Workgroup for Tableau Training enrollment and other support.
Q: If additional forms are not on the in-scope state forms list, how can counties ensure they are included in CWS-CARES? Will counties be required to add them?
A: The final, in-scope list of state forms is posted in the CWS-CARES Forms Tracker within the CWS-CARES Forms Workgroup Teams Channel (For access to this channel, please email the CWS-CARES Forms Mailbox). Currently, the scope is closed, and the project is formulating a process to capture all requested or newly identified forms. The project will notify CWS-CARES points of contact when this process is in place.
Q: Will it be possible to add new Super Users after CWS-CARES goes live, and what is the process for engaging them?
A: New Super Users can be added/switched at any time. If there is a new Super User after Go-Live, then they can be provided access to the Super User Orientation recording, Super User Guide and all other materials needed for their role by the Implementation Coordinator.