Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of testing activities are recommended for organizations to complete in Production Simulation for external systems? Should testing vary based on fully in scope or partially in scope systems?
A: Organizations should use Production Simulation and recorded demonstrations to test real workflows in CWS-CARES V1 using converted data as it becomes available.
For fully in-scope systems, we recommend organizations validate their required workflows can be completed from start to finish in CWS-CARES V1 without relying on the external system.
For partially in scope systems, organizations are encouraged to use a mix of common daily tasks, workflows, and county-specific processes to identify the boundary between CWSCARES V1 and the external system. The organization will then know which steps occur in CWS-CARES, and which steps remain outside CWS-CARES. Thus, validating functionality that is partially in-scope.
The ESCU recommendations for validation tools and activities in Production Simulation are available in the February 2026 External Systems Monthly Meeting Materials within the External Systems Portal.
Q: Which CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) activities will be completed within California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS)?
A: The Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) is an interface that will electronically transmit key case and placement data between CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) and California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) in near real-time. This includes the transmission of determination results back to CWS-CARES V1 and the sharing of documents, forms, and notices between CalSAWS and CWS-CARES users.
For information related to the CalSAWS activities completed in CWS-CARES, please refer to the Process Information Session for Placement and Eligibility which provides a walkthrough of the CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) To-Be Process Map and Change Impacts.
Q: Is there an anticipated timeline for when the state will take over costs related to SafeMeasures?
A: The State expects to take over county costs associated with SafeMeasures starting on July 1, 2028. Counties must continue to submit an Advance Planning Document (APD) to the California Department of Social Services prior to executing, renewing, or amending the agreement or paying for associated services. Please see External Systems Monthly Meeting May 2026 Questions and Answers County Fiscal Letter 23/24-12 for APD submission requirements and details as counties will be responsible for the existing contract and access until June 30, 2028. Please refer to The Future of SafeMeasures and Structured Decision Making (SDM) Assessments with CWS-CARES for more information.
Q: If you are supposed to be in Train-the-Trainer (TTT) should you have already received an email?
A: Yes, please reach out to the Training Mailbox if you did not receive email or CARES 104 access.
Q: Some of us still do not have access to the CARES104 Training Environment to begin the on-demand training.
A: At this time, members who are supposed to have access to the Training environment and participate in on-demand training are members who have been identified as trainers that will be attending the Train-the-Trainer program. If you fall within that category, but do not have access you have two options. First, you can message the Training Mailbox to ensure your access issue is triaged and resolved. Second, there are Train-the-Trainer office hours scheduled multiple times per week that you can join and get real time support to troubleshoot and resolve your access issues.
Q: How can users be sent an invite to the Organizational Change Management Advisory Workgroup (OCMAW) meeting that take place on the third Wednesdays of the month?
A: OCMAW memberships are approved through the Regional Chairs (RCs). Please ask your RC to send an email to the CWDS Implementation Mailbox.
Q: Our testers in Production Simulation cannot access the Placement and Eligibility Module. Do you have any idea why or when we can expect this to be available?
A: Please attend office hours or email your Production Simulation Regional Support Inbox to troubleshoot this issue. Placement and Eligibility should be available. This might be a permissions issue. Office hours and inboxes can be found on the Production Simulation Hub.
Q: Who will provide support for the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) and Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Portal once CWS-CARES goes live, including password resets? How does someone get access to the portals?
A: The CWDS Service Desk will be responsible for system support for the RFA and FFPSA portals. Within each portal, should a user need their password reset, there is an option to self-serve a password reset. In most cases this will resolve a user’s password concern, such as forgetting their password. However, if the password reset link is not received by a portal user after 24 hours, the user will need to contact the CWDS Service Desk for additional support.
For basic troubleshooting and supporting the applicant (i.e., how to complete an application), questions on overall application questions and processes, etc., the County would be responsible for providing that support.
Portal access is granted/received in two distinct methods based on the portal.
- RFA Portal – A Resource Family can access the portal via public link on the CWDS and county website(s) and is open for individuals to submit applications for interest in becoming a Resource Family Home (RFH). The second way to access the RFA Portal is for a CWS-CARES RFA Worker or RFA Supervisor to initiate an invitation to the prospective portal applicant. It should be noted that this method of invitation is only in the circumstance of an Emergency Placement, otherwise the Applicant would go to the public link to apply. Existing RFH homes with an email address previously provided will be extended an invitation to the portal. This will be done in the CWS-CARES application and dedicated training materials and guides will be provided on how to accomplish this task.
- Link to RFA Portal end-to-end demonstration
- FFPSA Portal – Access to this portal is by invitation only to Community Based Organizations (CBOs). A CWS-CARES worker will initiate the invitation to the portal by adding the prospective or existing Service Provider to CWS-CARES, including their email. Once the email address has been added to CWS-CARES, the provider will receive an email inviting them to the FFPSA Portal. With this invitation email, the provider will be able to establish their password and update any applicable information. CWS-CARES will provide CARES workers with the necessary training materials and guides on how to accomplish this task.
- Link to FFPSA Portal demonstration
- CBO Portal Worker
- They can fill out and submit candidacy determinations and cost tracking
- CBO Portal Supervisor
- They receive requests from IV-E agencies
- They assign CBO workers to children/cases
- They enter cost information for monthly reports
- CBO Portal Administrator
- They activate and deactivate portal access for workers within their organization
- They handle profile changes/updates
- They upload capacity reports
- They also enter cost information for monthly reports
Q: Where can we reach our designated support team?
A: You can contact your support team via the regional office hours posted on our Production Simulation (Prod Sim) Hub.
You can also email your regional support inbox:
Q: Where can users find the details or itemization of the essential items and refinement items produced by Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3 feedback?
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.