CWS-CARES Public Library
SafeMeasures® and SDM® Assessments in CWS-CARES: An Update From Evident Change
SafeMeasures® and Structured Decision Making® (SDM) assessments are currently being integrated into CWS-CARES. Evident Change is partneringwith CDSS and the SDM and SafeMeasures California core teams on an integration with CWS-CARES, with the goal of keeping the features staff rely on while making the transition easier.
SafeMeasures
Since July 2026, the California SafeMeasures core team and Evident Change have been working to create SafeMeasures reports in CWS-CARES using Production Simulation (Prod Sim) data. The focus is on easy navigation, access to frequently used reports, and an improved user experience that includes improved accessibility.
SDM Assessments
Training on SDM in CWS-CARES is now available through several formats:
No WebSDM data will be lost. All completed and approved assessments in WebSDM will be imported into CWS-CARES as PDFs and housed within case records. Incomplete assessments will not be imported. User administration, previously managed through WebSDM, will move to CWS-CARES permissions. All training will take place in the CWS-CARES training environment (CARES 104) going forward.
For practice-related questions about SDM assessments in CWS-CARES, contact Evident Change. Evident Change’s social service practice team is ready to support staff as they train, learn, and use SDM in CWS-CARES.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
SafeMeasures
Since July 2026, the California SafeMeasures core team and Evident Change have been working to create SafeMeasures reports in CWS-CARES using Production Simulation (Prod Sim) data. The focus is on easy navigation, access to frequently used reports, and an improved user experience that includes improved accessibility.
SDM Assessments
Training on SDM in CWS-CARES is now available through several formats:
- Instructor-Led Training (ILTs): SDM assessments are included in the ILTs, with a dedicated SDM training environment for hands-on practice during those sessions.
- On-Demand Training Videos: Sessions are broken down by SDM assessment type, including content specifically for supervisors, so staff can learn on their own schedule.
- Production Simulation: Staff can practice SDM workflows using data from real families, with no impact on live CWS-CARES data or cases. Practice scenarios are available to help staff understand the new integration workflows.
No WebSDM data will be lost. All completed and approved assessments in WebSDM will be imported into CWS-CARES as PDFs and housed within case records. Incomplete assessments will not be imported. User administration, previously managed through WebSDM, will move to CWS-CARES permissions. All training will take place in the CWS-CARES training environment (CARES 104) going forward.
For practice-related questions about SDM assessments in CWS-CARES, contact Evident Change. Evident Change’s social service practice team is ready to support staff as they train, learn, and use SDM in CWS-CARES.
Originally published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.