CWS-CARES Public Library
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.