CARES SPOCs, Implementation Coordinators, OCM Coordinators, County Leadership, Tribe Leadership, Probation Leadership, and State Leadership:
In this Weekly Digest:
- General
- CWS-CARES is Observing Labor Day on September 7, 2026
- System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
- CARES Explorer August 2026 Issue Now Available
- CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #11
- The August 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available
- The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is Now Open
- Implementation
- OCM Guidance Spotlight on Measurement and Evaluation
- Readiness Checkpoint Three Completed
- Training
- Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Program Successfully Completed
- CWS-CARES Functionality
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 31, 2026
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CWS-CARES is Observing Labor Day on September 7, 2026
The CWS-CARES Project will observe the Labor Day holiday on September 7, 2026. Please anticipate a delay in communications on this day. Due to the holiday, the next Weekly Digest will be distributed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
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System Updates & Release Notes on the Production Simulation Hub
Every Monday, the CWS-CARES Project publishes new System Updates and Release Notes on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on the CWDS website. All published updates are located on the System Updates & Release Notes tab in the left navigation bar. Below is a summary of the most recent release.
CWS-CARES Weekly Release Summary: August 24, 2026
The August 24 release delivered a range of corrections and improvements across the CWS-CARES system:
- 101 defect fixes aimed at improving system reliability, accuracy, and user experience across case management, courts, intake and investigation, and resource management.
- 38 data conversion fixes across nine core data elements, addressing issues in child locations, administrative permissions, participant details, and intake narratives.
- 10 county‑reported data issues resolved from El Dorado, Tulare, Placer, Sonoma, Humboldt, Kern, and Stanislaus, improving data accuracy and system consistency.
- ServiceNow incidents submitted by Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, Fresno, and Riverside were also addressed to ensure reported issues are resolved effectively.
Full details for last week’s release are available on the CWS‑CARES Production Simulation Hub.
Upcoming Release Information
The August 31 System Updates & Release Notes will appear on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub on once it is officially posted.
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CARES Explorer August 2026 Issue Now Available
We are pleased to present the Volume 3, Issue 4 of the CARES Explorer, the long‑form newsletter published every other month! For the best experience, please open the link using the Microsoft Edge browser. This issue includes the following topics:
Project Updates:
- Upcoming Activities at CWS-CARES
- Production Simulation: Preparing for Go-Live Together
- The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 is Open for Business!
Explore CWS-CARES:
- CWS-CARES & Integration: Connecting Data Across Systems
- SafeMeasures® and SDM® Assessments in CWS-CARES: An Update from Evident Change
- Resource Spotlight: CWS-CARES Support Model Fact Sheet
Implementation Corner:
- CWS-CARES Training in Full Motion Across California
- Spotlight: Marin County's Small Team, Big Momentum
- Implementation Readiness: Preparing Counties for Go‑Live
- Preparing for Change: Processes, Readiness & Resources
We recommend that you share this newsletter with all staff impacted by the changes coming with CWS-CARES. All previous issues of the CARES Explorer and CARES Compass are available to view on the CWDS website: CARES Compass/Explorer | Child Welfare Digital Services.
View the articles from all issues of the CARES Explorer in the CWS-CARES Public Library, a searchable, sharable repository of information related to CWS-CARES. The Public Library is available on the CWDS website on the Resources for CWS-CARES Users page.
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CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 Recap | Registration Open for Stakeholder Briefing #11
CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 – August 26, 2026:
Thank you to everyone who attended CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #10 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026! We were pleased to have 443 participants across 47 counties and over 5+ partner organizations join the session live. We also received several questions during the session, which we are working to answer and share with you as soon as possible.
The session recording is now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials page under Stakeholder Briefing #10.
Please log in with your county or organization email address to view the recording. An accessible PDF of the presentation slides and a summary of the session Q&A will be available in the coming weeks in the same location.
CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #11 – September 23, 2026:
Registration is now open for the next CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing! We encourage you to attend Stakeholder Briefing #11 on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Register now. Note: A separate calendar invitation will not be sent by the CWS-CARES Project. Please manually add the .ics attachment (which is a digital calendar file format) in the registration confirmation email to your calendar.
All stakeholders are welcome to attend. Updates will include:
- Preparing for Go-Live
- What to Expect During Week 1
- Decommissioning Plan
- Support Available During & After Go-Live
View the full agenda on CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #11: September 2026. We hope to see you on September 23, 2026!
Please contact Customer Relations at CWS_CustRel@otsi.ca.gov with any questions.
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The August 2026 Progress and Engagement Summary is Now Available
The CWS-CARES Progress and Engagement Summaries provide a concise overview of the collaborative efforts and achievements of CWS-CARES. The August Progress and Engagement Summary features engagement analytics for the July 2026 reporting period across the following subject areas:
- CWS-CARES Communications
- Stakeholder Briefing #9 – July 2026
- Forms and Data
- External Systems, Interfaces, and Analytics
- Implementation, OCM, and Training
- Production Simulation
- Resources Available on the CWDS Website
View all CWS-CARES Progress and Engagement Summaries on the CWDS website: CWS CARES Progress and Engagement Updates
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The CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop is Now Open!
We are excited to announce the opening of CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3! The shop is now live, and you can begin shopping here: CWS-CARES Pop-Up Shop #3 | Order Now. It will remain open until the end of the day on Friday, September 18, 2026.
All 58 California counties, Tribes, and partner organizations have the opportunity to purchase CWS-CARES branded items using their own funds at this limited-time online store. For more information on ordering and shipping, please review the Pop Up Shop 3 FAQs and Item Selection flyer.
Please contact CWDS Customer Relations with any questions. Happy shopping!
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OCM Guidance Spotlight on Measurement and Evaluation
As Organizations prepare for Go Live, the Organizational Change Management (OCM) team wants to spotlight the OCM Measurement and Evaluation resource, which offers a practical way to understand how ready stakeholders are for the transition. It helps Organizations move beyond assumptions by providing evidence-based insight into how well staff are absorbing training, understanding expectations, timelines, and preparation steps, and where additional support may be needed.
To support assessments, the CWS-CARES OCM Resources Page provides several helpful tools:
- CWS‑CARES Measurement and Evaluation Guidance: An overview of purpose, expected outcomes, and recommended survey approach and activities.
- CWS-CARES Sample Stakeholder Engagement Survey Metrics: Examples of metrics Organizations can use to assess engagement and readiness.
- CWS-CARES Sample Stakeholder Engagement Survey Questions: Suggested questions that Organizations can use or tailor for their surveys.
Conducting a readiness survey about six to eight weeks before Go-Live captures stakeholder feedback early enough to act on the results and address any last-minute gaps or needs.
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Readiness Checkpoint Three Completed
On August 24, the Implementation Team facilitated Readiness Checkpoint Three, providing Project Leadership with a comprehensive assessment of statewide and project readiness ahead of Go-Live. The session covered progress across all readiness domains, highlighted behind‑pace items and emerging risks, and outlined key focus areas for September. Readiness Checkpoint Four will take place on Monday, 9/28.
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Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Program Successfully Completed
We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of our Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program. Through TTT, designated county Facilitators and Support staff gained early familiarity with the curriculum ahead of other county users so that they can effectively support CWS-CARES trainers in Instructor Led Training (ILT) delivery. This marks a significant achievement as the participants are now equipped with the curriculum, facilitation methods, and training materials they will use to support staff throughout implementation. Congratulations and thank you to all who participated!
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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: August 31, 2026
This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight highlights a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) focused on Learning Paths.
August 31, 2026 FAQs of the Week: Learning Paths
Q: What are Learning Paths?
A: Learning Paths are curriculum maps built for 37 permission roles ranging from AAP Eligibility Resource to State Rate Bureau Worker. Each map outlines the recommended On‑Demand Learning Enablement modules, Instructor-Led Training (ILT) courses, and the estimated training time.
Q: Why are course titles in the Learning Paths different from what I see for On-Demand or ILT?
A: The course titles displayed on Learning Paths may differ slightly because the maps use shortened or simplified names for clarity. Even if the wording is slightly different, the courses are the same and cover the intended content.
To view all of the CWS-CARES FAQs, please visit the CWDS website: CWS-CARES FAQs | CWDS Website.
Have a question? Send it to Customer Relations and we will be happy to help.
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Share Your Feedback and Subscribe
Thank you for following our progress! Share your feedback on this CWS-CARES Weekly Digest here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Feedback Form. Subscribe to future issues here: CWS-CARES Weekly Digest Subscription Form.
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Action Required: We request that all CWS-CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) and Implementation Coordinators coordinate and distribute the CWS-CARES Weekly Digest to all staff impacted by CWS-CARES, at their discretion.
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Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data
The Prod Sim environment contains converted CWS/CMS cases reflecting actual system data as of April 17, 2026. Because this includes real, sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII), all case information must be strictly protected or redacted.
To protect CWS-CARES case data, please follow these important security guidelines when working with our support teams:
- Redact Ticket Info: Do not send Protected Health Information (PHI), PII, or confidential case details to the Service Desk via email or ticket. Sensitive and confidential data cannot be stored in the ticketing system.
- Secure Screen Shares: During support-requested screen shares, limit attendees to essential personnel only. Recording of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.
- Consult for Tier 3 Transfers: If Tier 3 support needs sensitive data, use secure transmission methods. Contact your county Privacy Officer or the CWDS ISO if you need assistance with secure routing.
We appreciate your dedication to protecting the safety and privacy of vulnerable children and families while we work together to support your needs.