CWDS Glossary

Part of the CWS-CARES project’s solution development methodology that requires the Contractor* to deliver incremental infrastructure and System* functionality on a pre-determined schedule in the form of Software* builds.

The Independent Advisor will independently assess CWS-CARES CCWIS compliance, monitors project progress, and adherence to goals and end user needs. Responsible for conducting an initial and ongoing reviews of the project's strategy and how the project could deliver the CWS-CARES at reduced costs more quickly. Presents recommendations to project stakeholders and governance bodies.

Education and services that help youth transition successfully from foster care to independent living. Services range from basic living skills (e.g., employment, set up bank account, transitional housing) to career development skills.

Defined in Section 477 of the Social Security Act as the program administered by counties with oversight by the Department to provide services and activities as described by a child’s Transitional Independent Living Plans (TILPs) to assist eligible children up to the day prior to their 21st birthday to prepare them to live independently upon leaving foster care (CDSS Manual of Policies and Procedures).

The Office of Statewide Project Delivery (OSPD) Project Approvals and Oversight (PAO) is the group within the California Department of Technology (CDT) that carries out the responsibilities under Government Code §11545 and §11546 to establish and enforce information technology (IT) policies and provide approval and oversight of IT projects.

To accomplish approval and oversight of IT projects, the OSPD PAO uses Independent Project Oversight (IPO) to assess project management processes, deliverables (e.g., plans, schedules, scope, risks, and issues), and a project’s overall health.

The Independent Project Oversight Report (IPOR) is used by the IPO to record and communicate independent assessment to the project as of a particular reporting period. The IPOR also provides valuable information to other interested parties (Legislature, Department of Finance, California State Auditor, stakeholders, etc.). It is important to note that the IPOR is a point in time assessment used to provide relevant, factual information about an IT project as of a particular date. The goal is to effect positive change, mitigate risks, provide intervention and course corrections, and ultimately help a project achieve success.

A comprehensive review, analysis, and testing, (software and/or hardware) performed by an objective third party to confirm (i.e., verify) that the requirements are correctly defined, and to confirm (i.e., validate) that the system correctly implements the required functionality and security requirements.

Encompasses decent from both historic tribes as well as federally recognized tribes. When establishing descent from an Indian tribe for membership and enrollment purposes, the individual lineally descends from an ancestor who was a member of a federally recognized tribe from which the individual claims descent. Many tribes utilize blood quantum standards for membership and count documented Indian blood from all historic tribes.

In 1978, Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (Public Law 95-608, November 8,1978) to: protect the best interests of Indian children promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families, and the placement of such children in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture provide assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of children and family service programs (25 United States Code Section (1902)). The Act sets forth jurisdictional provisions governing a tribe’s right to exercise authority over its tribal children; sets forth standards and procedures applicable to designated state court proceedings involving custody of Indian children; establishes rights and processes for adopted Indian child to access birth information necessary to establish tribal membership; and authorizes tribal services for Indian children.

Focuses on organizing, structuring, and labeling content in an effective and sustainable way. The goal is to help users find information and complete tasks. To do this, you need to understand how the pieces fit together to create the larger picture, how items relate to each other within the system.