CWS-CARES Public Library
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.