CWS-CARES Public Library
The CWS-CARES Public Library is a searchable repository of project information. The articles published here may also be located in the CARES Explorer Newsletters. If you have any questions, please contact CWDS Communications.
Service Areas and Milestones
Resource Spotlight: CWS-CARES Support Model Fact Sheet
The CWS-CARES Support Model Fact Sheet brings key support resources and contacts together in one place, making it easier for Organization staff to find the help they need.
The fact sheet includes:
The fact sheet includes:
- Production Simulation support: Regional mailboxes, daily office hours, support clinics, and steps to take before reporting an issue
- Issue resolution process: A diagram showing how questions and issues move from users to local support teams and, when needed, to the Project team
- Additional CWS-CARES support: Contacts, office hours, and related environments for Implementation, OCM, Training, Forms, Data Conversion, External Systems, and Interfaces
- Resources: Links to updates, portals, FAQs, and meeting materials
Implementation Readiness: Preparing Counties for Go-Live
As CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) approaches Go-Live, counties across California are progressing through a series of critical readiness activities that ensure staff, processes, and local systems are prepared for the transition. Implementation readiness is a core pillar of the Project’s approach, complementing training, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR), and technical onboarding efforts presented in prior issues.
This month, we are highlighting how the Project and county partners are working together to evaluate readiness, identify risks early, and strengthen confidence through structured checkpoints and clearer visibility into the tasks that matter most.
Readiness Checkpoints: Building Transparency and Alignment
The Readiness Checkpoint structure is designed to provide counties, Project teams, and leadership with timely insight into progress and potential risks. Each checkpoint expands on the previous one by incorporating new validation inputs, updated completion percentages, and more refined task-level analysis.
For upcoming checkpoints, the Project plans to:
County readiness is measured through a series of criteria mapped across Training, OCM, Implementation Management, Technical Readiness, and Data Quality Implementation Disciplines. These tasks represent the foundational work that counties must complete to ensure a smooth transition into CARES V1.
Each county reports progress through regular touchpoints with their Implementation Leads. Completion updates flow into the Project’s readiness tracking tools, where they are compiled into dashboards and materials reviewed during formal readiness checkpoints. This structured approach mirrors the Project’s broader emphasis on planning and phased rollouts, as demonstrated in Production Simulation (Prod Sim) activities and stakeholder briefings.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the final stretch before CARES V1 Go-Live, the Project remains committed to providing clear information, timely updates, and strong partnership with counties across the state. Implementation readiness is a shared effort rooted in accuracy, transparency, and ensuring local Organizations have what they need to succeed.
Thank you to all county partners for your continued engagement, insights, and dedication throughout this milestone year. Your feedback continues to shape how we support you on the path to Go-Live.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
This month, we are highlighting how the Project and county partners are working together to evaluate readiness, identify risks early, and strengthen confidence through structured checkpoints and clearer visibility into the tasks that matter most.
Readiness Checkpoints: Building Transparency and Alignment
The Readiness Checkpoint structure is designed to provide counties, Project teams, and leadership with timely insight into progress and potential risks. Each checkpoint expands on the previous one by incorporating new validation inputs, updated completion percentages, and more refined task-level analysis.
For upcoming checkpoints, the Project plans to:
- Increase visibility into individual critical path tasks and dependencies
- Highlight key areas where counties may need additional support
- Capture county-reported context that explains whether progress reflects true readiness or is influenced by external constraints
- Strengthen the objectivity and accuracy of readiness narratives shared across the state
County readiness is measured through a series of criteria mapped across Training, OCM, Implementation Management, Technical Readiness, and Data Quality Implementation Disciplines. These tasks represent the foundational work that counties must complete to ensure a smooth transition into CARES V1.
Each county reports progress through regular touchpoints with their Implementation Leads. Completion updates flow into the Project’s readiness tracking tools, where they are compiled into dashboards and materials reviewed during formal readiness checkpoints. This structured approach mirrors the Project’s broader emphasis on planning and phased rollouts, as demonstrated in Production Simulation (Prod Sim) activities and stakeholder briefings.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the final stretch before CARES V1 Go-Live, the Project remains committed to providing clear information, timely updates, and strong partnership with counties across the state. Implementation readiness is a shared effort rooted in accuracy, transparency, and ensuring local Organizations have what they need to succeed.
Thank you to all county partners for your continued engagement, insights, and dedication throughout this milestone year. Your feedback continues to shape how we support you on the path to Go-Live.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Production Simulation: Preparing for Go-Live Together
Production Simulation is Underway
Production Simulation (Prod Sim) is now open to all 58 California counties, Tribes with Title IV-E Agreements, and State Partners. This readiness activity gives users a controlled, production-like space to practice and test CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) functionality before statewide Go-Live.
The environment mirrors the full CARES V1 system and is populated with converted data from CWS/CMS, RFA Greenfield, and external systems. Users can practice real workflows — running reports and forms, validating data, and testing operational processes — without impacting live production data. Prod Sim also gives counties an opportunity to become familiar with the CWS-CARES Service Desk and tiered support structure ahead of Go-Live.
Prod Sim will remain available through October 23, 2026. This is the final extended window for counties to build familiarity with CARES V1 before it becomes the system of record. Organizations that have not yet onboarded all intended users are encouraged to do so now.
Participation Across the State
Onboarding has expanded in phases and participation continues to grow:
Preparing for the Next Phase
Sealed and confidential case data is planned to become available in Prod Sim (targeted by September).
Sealed and sensitive records have been withheld from Prod Sim to date while the project validates role-based access controls (RBAC). Once added, this data will give counties a more complete view of their caseload for testing purposes. Additional detail on this milestone, including what to test and how to report any access issues, will be shared as the date approaches.
Stay Up to Date
The CWS-CARES Project publishes ongoing Release Notes to communicate the status of the Prod Sim environment, including:
Support follows a tiered structure. County and Organization staff should direct questions and issues to their local support team (Tier 1) first; unresolved issues are escalated to the Project Support Team (Tier 2). Support requests should never include confidential data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI).
This is the final Explorer newsletter update on Production Simulation before Go-Live. Counties are encouraged to continue testing, reporting issues, and preparing staff through the remainder of the Prod Sim window.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Production Simulation (Prod Sim) is now open to all 58 California counties, Tribes with Title IV-E Agreements, and State Partners. This readiness activity gives users a controlled, production-like space to practice and test CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) functionality before statewide Go-Live.
The environment mirrors the full CARES V1 system and is populated with converted data from CWS/CMS, RFA Greenfield, and external systems. Users can practice real workflows — running reports and forms, validating data, and testing operational processes — without impacting live production data. Prod Sim also gives counties an opportunity to become familiar with the CWS-CARES Service Desk and tiered support structure ahead of Go-Live.
Prod Sim will remain available through October 23, 2026. This is the final extended window for counties to build familiarity with CARES V1 before it becomes the system of record. Organizations that have not yet onboarded all intended users are encouraged to do so now.
Participation Across the State
Onboarding has expanded in phases and participation continues to grow:
- 568 participants onboarded across 49 Organizations as of June 22 (EUST 3 participants, County Admins, and Data Conversion Cycle participants)
- 2,065 total participants onboarded across 58 Organizations as of July 6
- 126 Binti/DCVal participants across 28 counties, participating in a separate data validation environment
- 4,000+ attendees across six kickoff sessions held July 6–17
- 16,166 unique users across 59 Organizations logged in as of August 21
Preparing for the Next Phase
Sealed and confidential case data is planned to become available in Prod Sim (targeted by September).
Sealed and sensitive records have been withheld from Prod Sim to date while the project validates role-based access controls (RBAC). Once added, this data will give counties a more complete view of their caseload for testing purposes. Additional detail on this milestone, including what to test and how to report any access issues, will be shared as the date approaches.
Stay Up to Date
The CWS-CARES Project publishes ongoing Release Notes to communicate the status of the Prod Sim environment, including:
- Known and expected issues
- Current system behavior
- Resolved issues
- Open or newly reported issues
- Capabilities not currently available
- Environment specifications
Support follows a tiered structure. County and Organization staff should direct questions and issues to their local support team (Tier 1) first; unresolved issues are escalated to the Project Support Team (Tier 2). Support requests should never include confidential data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI).
This is the final Explorer newsletter update on Production Simulation before Go-Live. Counties are encouraged to continue testing, reporting issues, and preparing staff through the remainder of the Prod Sim window.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3
The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is just around the corner! From August 31 – September 18, 2026, all 58 California counties, Tribes, and partner organizations will have an opportunity to purchase CWS-CARES branded items using their own funds. This time, the Pop-Up Shop will feature a wider selection items including apparel, stationary, drinkware, and other accessories perfect for showing support for CWS-CARES.
A link to the Pop-Up Shop ordering site will be shared in the August 31, 2026 CWS-CARES Weekly Digest. Subscribe to the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to receive the latest news from the CWS-CARES Project.
Share the flyer below with your staff and invite them to purchase an item from the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3!
A link to the Pop-Up Shop ordering site will be shared in the August 31, 2026 CWS-CARES Weekly Digest. Subscribe to the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to receive the latest news from the CWS-CARES Project.
What are Pop-Up Shops?
Pop-Up Shops are limited time, online stores offering CWS-CARES branded merchandise. We host these Pop-Up Shops regularly to build awareness and excitement for CWS-CARES. While the Project coordinates and markets the Pop-Ups, purchases are made through Staples Promotional Products with your own funds. Neither the state nor the CWS-CARES Project receive any proceeds or profits from the shop. Ordering is optional.What items will be offered in Pop-Up Shop #3?
Our full selection of items along with pricing details, ordering FAQs, and shipping information, are included the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 FAQs and Item Selection PDF. The prices for featured items range from under a $1 to $18.95, ideal for bulk or individual purchases.Share the flyer below with your staff and invite them to purchase an item from the CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3!
Preparing for Success: Training Comes into Focus
As we approach CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Go-Live, the Project is helping staff prepare through a combination of role-based, Instructor-Led training (ILT) and on-demand recorded sessions (Enablement Programs).
Rather than a one-size-fits-all-model, this approach ensures that staff receive training that’s tailored directly to their needs and flexible for each organization's schedule. These training resources will also prepare staff to test workflows in the Prod Sim environment.
Train-the-Trainer
Train-the-Trainer (TTT) prepares designated trainers within each organization to lead training for their own staff. Rather than relying on Project trainers, this approach builds local training capacity so every organization has experts who know the system and their local teams. Trainers complete an on-demand Enablement prerequisite, followed by TTT sessions that prepare them to lead ILT along Project staff.
The on-demand prerequisites for trainers began on June 8, 2026, and instructor-led TTT sessions begin on July 6, 2026, with 700+ trainers expected to participate.
On-Demand Enablement Programs
Enablement programs help staff understand core CWS-CARES functionality and navigation steps. The 46 self-paced Enablement Program modules include 40 hours of guided tasks with step-by-step instructions to support day-one readiness. Enablement programs serve as the pre-requisite to Instructor-Led Training (ILT) which is led jointly by organization and Project trainers.
The enablement programs become available to all end users on June 30, 2026.
Instructor-Led Training
The Instructor-Led Training curriculum offers in-person and virtual sessions for county, state, and specialized program staff across the business areas they work in every day, including Screenings and Referrals, Placements, Case Management Services, Courts, Eligibility, Adoptions, Prevention Services (FFPSA), Resource Family Approval (RFA), Financial Management, Admin Console, and Probation. Modules are determined by a user’s role and are estimated to be completed within 1-3 days.
Resources and Support
Questions, issues, and support is available through dedicated, Project-led Regional Support Teams across California. To submit a question or concern, contact your region’s support team via email.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all-model, this approach ensures that staff receive training that’s tailored directly to their needs and flexible for each organization's schedule. These training resources will also prepare staff to test workflows in the Prod Sim environment.
Train-the-Trainer
Train-the-Trainer (TTT) prepares designated trainers within each organization to lead training for their own staff. Rather than relying on Project trainers, this approach builds local training capacity so every organization has experts who know the system and their local teams. Trainers complete an on-demand Enablement prerequisite, followed by TTT sessions that prepare them to lead ILT along Project staff.
The on-demand prerequisites for trainers began on June 8, 2026, and instructor-led TTT sessions begin on July 6, 2026, with 700+ trainers expected to participate.
On-Demand Enablement Programs
Enablement programs help staff understand core CWS-CARES functionality and navigation steps. The 46 self-paced Enablement Program modules include 40 hours of guided tasks with step-by-step instructions to support day-one readiness. Enablement programs serve as the pre-requisite to Instructor-Led Training (ILT) which is led jointly by organization and Project trainers.
The enablement programs become available to all end users on June 30, 2026.
Instructor-Led Training
The Instructor-Led Training curriculum offers in-person and virtual sessions for county, state, and specialized program staff across the business areas they work in every day, including Screenings and Referrals, Placements, Case Management Services, Courts, Eligibility, Adoptions, Prevention Services (FFPSA), Resource Family Approval (RFA), Financial Management, Admin Console, and Probation. Modules are determined by a user’s role and are estimated to be completed within 1-3 days.
Resources and Support
Questions, issues, and support is available through dedicated, Project-led Regional Support Teams across California. To submit a question or concern, contact your region’s support team via email.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Production Simulation: A Closer Look at the Path to Go-Live
Production Simulation is here! As of June 22, 2026, active Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) 3 users, County admins, and data conversion validation users have begun working hands-on in a Production Simulation (Prod Sim, or CARES 100) environment that closely mirrors CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1), marking a major milestones before Go-Live. Prod Sim enables organizations to practice and test workflows, validate data, run reports and forms, and prepare staff for the transition ahead.
A Phased Path to Full Access
To ensure that organizations have access to a stable, fully functional environment, Prod Sim is opening in phases. Counties began hands-on validation of converted legacy data on June 22, 2026, with subject matter experts and end users verifying data accuracy and business functionality. As additional users join on July 6, users will validate reports and data extracts, and the self-paced training curriculum becomes available.
Behind the Scenes
The Project Team is focused on resolving a key set of technical priorities so that Prod Sim reflects the most accurate, up-to-date representation of the system available. Many conversion items have already been resolved, and additional capabilities, including converted county forms, will come online on a rolling basis through the summer, with updates shared by July 6 and August 4. A dedicated support system is in place, with the Organization Support Team providing first-line help and the Project Support Team managing escalations. The Project is also partnering closely with CWDA, CPOC, and county leadership to address and mitigate any impacts.
The Project appreciates your patience and ongoing partnership throughout this transition as we maintain our shared commitment to the safety and well-being of children and families. More Prod Sim information can be found on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS site. For questions, please contact your regional support team.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
A Phased Path to Full Access
To ensure that organizations have access to a stable, fully functional environment, Prod Sim is opening in phases. Counties began hands-on validation of converted legacy data on June 22, 2026, with subject matter experts and end users verifying data accuracy and business functionality. As additional users join on July 6, users will validate reports and data extracts, and the self-paced training curriculum becomes available.
Behind the Scenes
The Project Team is focused on resolving a key set of technical priorities so that Prod Sim reflects the most accurate, up-to-date representation of the system available. Many conversion items have already been resolved, and additional capabilities, including converted county forms, will come online on a rolling basis through the summer, with updates shared by July 6 and August 4. A dedicated support system is in place, with the Organization Support Team providing first-line help and the Project Support Team managing escalations. The Project is also partnering closely with CWDA, CPOC, and county leadership to address and mitigate any impacts.
The Project appreciates your patience and ongoing partnership throughout this transition as we maintain our shared commitment to the safety and well-being of children and families. More Prod Sim information can be found on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS site. For questions, please contact your regional support team.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
CWS-CARES Communication Effectiveness Survey #3: Next Steps
The CWS-CARES annual Communication Effectiveness Surveys ran from March 9 to April 3, 2026, drawing 103 complete responses from 1,046 individuals invited (a 10% response rate), across 38 counties and a range of stakeholder roles. Sentiment scores declined across all seven categories compared to the prior survey. Confidence in the Project timeline was the lowest-rated category, while Project staff continue to be recognized for their responsiveness and listening.
Understanding the Results
Several factors may have shaped sentiment during the survey window:
Your feedback is shaping concrete changes you will see ahead; several in the Weekly Digest, the tool you rated most helpful. The Weekly Digest will add a project timeline and upcoming activities section, along with a recurring training update section and rotating Resource Spotlight to make existing materials easier to find.
Beyond the Weekly Digest, the Project is introducing subject-line tags that label communications when action is needed versus when the messaging is simply an update. These examples represent only part of the broader work underway across the Project.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Your feedback directly shapes how we communicate with you as we move into the final months before CWS-CARES Go-Live.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Understanding the Results
Several factors may have shaped sentiment during the survey window:
- The federal shutdown and APDU pause (October 2025)
- The shift from a five-county pilot to statewide Production Simulation (December 2025)
- EUST 3 user experience challenges (January to April 2026)
- The implementation vendor transition, announced shortly before the survey opened (March 2026)
Your feedback is shaping concrete changes you will see ahead; several in the Weekly Digest, the tool you rated most helpful. The Weekly Digest will add a project timeline and upcoming activities section, along with a recurring training update section and rotating Resource Spotlight to make existing materials easier to find.
Beyond the Weekly Digest, the Project is introducing subject-line tags that label communications when action is needed versus when the messaging is simply an update. These examples represent only part of the broader work underway across the Project.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Your feedback directly shapes how we communicate with you as we move into the final months before CWS-CARES Go-Live.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Support for County Forms in CWS/CMS Now Available
We are pleased to share that the CWS-CARES Project will develop the top-prioritized 2,400 county CWS/CMS forms, which were originally slated for county conversion. This is a significant undertaking, and one we are committed to completing to support county readiness for CWS-CARES Go-Live.
Project-led conversion is already underway and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026. After that date, all converted forms will be available for validation in the CWS-CARES Production Simulation environment. Please note that counties remain responsible for any forms housed outside of CWS/CMS in their own external systems.
Thank you for your continued partnership and feedback; it directly shapes how we support you through this milestone year.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Project-led conversion is already underway and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026. After that date, all converted forms will be available for validation in the CWS-CARES Production Simulation environment. Please note that counties remain responsible for any forms housed outside of CWS/CMS in their own external systems.
Thank you for your continued partnership and feedback; it directly shapes how we support you through this milestone year.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
CWS-CARES Implementation Services At-a-Glance
The CWS-CARES Project announced partnership with a new vendor for implementation services on March 25, 2026. KPMG, the new vendor, began Organization Change Management (OCM), training, and implementation onboarding in early April and have resumed activities. The updated approach for implementation services is focused on continuity, preparing counties and organizations for Go-Live, and adapting resources to user needs.
More information on the updated approach will be shared once the new implementation vendor is fully onboarded. Thank you to all stakeholders for your patience and understanding as we navigate these changes together.
Tailored Training – Training and support will account for county and organization needs and roles. Each county and organization will have the option to leverage a combination of self-paced virtual learning, instructor-led virtual learning, and in-person instructor-led learning. This blended training approach offers the flexibility to achieve learning objectives based on individual needs.
Expanded Training – OCM and training will be available to an estimated 30,000 end users. Current training resources will be used as possible; updates and supplemental materials will be created as needed to support day-to-day work.
Blended User Support – In person and virtual support will be available to end users during Go-Live and beyond.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
More information on the updated approach will be shared once the new implementation vendor is fully onboarded. Thank you to all stakeholders for your patience and understanding as we navigate these changes together.
Updated Implementation and Training Approach Highlights
Continuity of Effort – After a rapid assessment of current implementation activities, the new Implementation Team will leverage existing readiness work and training assets to maintain continuity where possible. Counties and organizations will continue to have dedicated implementation contacts.Tailored Training – Training and support will account for county and organization needs and roles. Each county and organization will have the option to leverage a combination of self-paced virtual learning, instructor-led virtual learning, and in-person instructor-led learning. This blended training approach offers the flexibility to achieve learning objectives based on individual needs.
Expanded Training – OCM and training will be available to an estimated 30,000 end users. Current training resources will be used as possible; updates and supplemental materials will be created as needed to support day-to-day work.
Blended User Support – In person and virtual support will be available to end users during Go-Live and beyond.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
Production Simulation Opens to First Group of Users May 4, 2026
The CWS-CARES Production Simulation environment (Prod Sim) is a new readiness activity that will allow users to practice and test system functionality in a digital space mirroring CWS-CARES Version 1. This environment will be populated with real converted data from CWS/CMS, CARES-Live, and RFA Greenfield* to support validation and testing ahead of CWS-CARES Go-Live. 25,000 users from
the 58 California counties, Tribes with Title IV-E Agreements, and State Partners will gain access across a phased approach.
Starting May 4, 2026 Prod Sim will open to County Administrators, Single Points of Contact (SPOCs), Super Users, and Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) testers. Users in the first onboarding phase will begin initial testing and set access and data permissions using synthetic data for the users onboarded later. All other users and county staff will have access to Prod Sim in July 2026 with real, converted data. Please note that updates to data in Prod Sim will not be reflected in CWS/CMS. Prod Sim training and support will be available for end users and more information will be shared as we move closer to launch.
*Converted data from CARES-Live and RFA Greenfield will be available after phase 2 has been onboarded.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
the 58 California counties, Tribes with Title IV-E Agreements, and State Partners will gain access across a phased approach.
Starting May 4, 2026 Prod Sim will open to County Administrators, Single Points of Contact (SPOCs), Super Users, and Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) testers. Users in the first onboarding phase will begin initial testing and set access and data permissions using synthetic data for the users onboarded later. All other users and county staff will have access to Prod Sim in July 2026 with real, converted data. Please note that updates to data in Prod Sim will not be reflected in CWS/CMS. Prod Sim training and support will be available for end users and more information will be shared as we move closer to launch.
*Converted data from CARES-Live and RFA Greenfield will be available after phase 2 has been onboarded.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.