CWS-CARES Public Library
From Scope to Strategy: Preparing for External System Decommissioning
To support efficient and effective child welfare business practices, the project is working with each county to identify external systems that are duplicative of CARES V1 functionality. For example, CARES V1 will include resource family approval, placement, and family finding - functions currently managed in county systems external to CWS/CMS. By completing External Systems Scope Assessments and engaging in Gap Analysis discussions with the CWS-CARES project, counties will identify which systems fully duplicate CARES V1 functionality.
The scope assessment process helps identify external systems eligible for decommissioning when CARES V1 goes live and what preparations are needed. Decommissioning planning includes confirming a system has duplicative functionality, developing realistic steps and timelines to take the system off-line, identifying system dependencies, and ensuring business continuity throughout the transition. This work is the foundation for long-term planning and informed decision-making.
Counties will have opportunities to validate CARES V1 functionality, identify any gaps, and adjust their decommissioning plans based on Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) validation, practice in the Sandbox Environment, and real-time use. Decisions will be finalized after validation confirms CARES V1 meets required functionality and operational needs. No systems will be required to be fully decommissioned at CARES V1 Go-Live in October 2026.
By approaching this work collaboratively and with clear validation checkpoints, we aim to support counties in creating decommissioning plans that are practical, phased, and aligned with both policy and operational needs. We’d like to thank all counties and organization partners for their ongoing collaboration on this effort!
For more information, please join us on Thursday, July 10th from 10 – 11 AM for the External Systems Monthly Meeting Kickoff! This online meeting series will be held on the second Thursday of each month.
Originally Published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.
The scope assessment process helps identify external systems eligible for decommissioning when CARES V1 goes live and what preparations are needed. Decommissioning planning includes confirming a system has duplicative functionality, developing realistic steps and timelines to take the system off-line, identifying system dependencies, and ensuring business continuity throughout the transition. This work is the foundation for long-term planning and informed decision-making.
Counties will have opportunities to validate CARES V1 functionality, identify any gaps, and adjust their decommissioning plans based on Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) validation, practice in the Sandbox Environment, and real-time use. Decisions will be finalized after validation confirms CARES V1 meets required functionality and operational needs. No systems will be required to be fully decommissioned at CARES V1 Go-Live in October 2026.
By approaching this work collaboratively and with clear validation checkpoints, we aim to support counties in creating decommissioning plans that are practical, phased, and aligned with both policy and operational needs. We’d like to thank all counties and organization partners for their ongoing collaboration on this effort!
For more information, please join us on Thursday, July 10th from 10 – 11 AM for the External Systems Monthly Meeting Kickoff! This online meeting series will be held on the second Thursday of each month.
Originally Published in the CWS-CARES Explorer.