In this Weekly Digest:
- CWS-CARES Production Simulation and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026
- Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification
- Recap: Operational Alignment Session
- Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9
- CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: July 2026 Update
- Additional Clarification: Microsoft Word 32/64-bit in CWS-CARES
- CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 13, 2026
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CWS-CARES Production Simulation and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026
The CWS-CARES Project has distributed the July 6, 2026 Production Simulation (Prod Sim) update as the project tracks toward CWS-CARES Version 1 (CARES V1) Go-Live on October 26, 2026. The update includes two key resources.
The How to Access & Self-Enroll in Enablement Guide explains how to sign up for CWS-CARES training. Non Train-the-Trainer (TTT) users should follow their role-based learning path and consult their county training coordinator if needed. TTT users will receive separate communication soon regarding their specific Enablement programs.
The CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status is a document outlining the current capabilities, limitations, and system status as of July 6 for CWS-CARES Prod Sim and other environments. This resource is designed to provide clarity on what to expect, what has changed, and how to understand the current system behavior.
The CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status document covers:
Prod Sim
- Prod Sim Revised Onboarding Approach: The onboarding approach is revised with all users being added to the CWS-CARES Prod Sim environment in phases between July 6th and July 16th.
- CWS-CARES Support and Data Security Protocols: Users must strictly redact PII/PHI from support tickets, prohibit screenshots or recordings during screen shares, and utilize secure transmission methods for all data transfers.
- CWS-CARES Prod Sim Support Options: Support is available through daily Microsoft Teams office hours, regional clinics, and dedicated weekday email channels across six regions.
- Known & Expected Issues, Current System Behavior: Highlights of known and expected issues, and current system behaviors users might encounter, focusing primarily on data-related issues.
- Resolved Issues: A summary of resolved bugs and defects. Users should report these if any unexpected behavior persists within these specific areas.
- Open/Reported Issues, Capabilities Not Available on July 6: An overview of current Prod Sim issues classified by subject area; please note this does not represent the entirety of all reported active issues.
- Forms Status: A dedicated status update on the readiness and functionality of project forms.
Environment Specifications
- We are sharing information on the current operational status and specifications of the CWS-CARES environments including configuration, data sets, access rights, and feature availability.
Please note that the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Environment Status document is a living document, with the next update scheduled for August 4.
For full details, please visit the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026 page on the CWDS website.
Please contact Customer Relations for questions.
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Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification
Following the CWS-CARES Prod Sim and Additional Updates – 7/6/2026, all users will be added to the CWS-CARES Prod Sim environment (CARES100) this month to ensure staff have enough time to complete their Enablement modules before starting Instructor-Led Training (ILT).
Users will be onboarded on one of two dates depending on their county:
- Monday, July 13, 2026: Approximately 10,000 users in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino (including both probation and child welfare staff) will gain access to Prod Sim.
- Thursday, July 16, 2026: Approximately 10,000 users from all remaining counties, Tribes, and CDSS (including both probation and child welfare) will gain access to Prod Sim.
Although all users are being activated, individual counties and organizations decide who participates and when they start their activities. To gain access, users must respond to onboarding emails sent on either July 13 or July 16, depending on their rollout date.
Four onboarding Kickoff sessions will be hosted via Microsoft Teams Town Hall, with American Sign Language interpretation provided for all sessions:
- Session 1: Monday, July 13 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Session 2: Tuesday, July 14 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Session 3: Thursday, July 16 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Session 4: Friday, July 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Links to the kickoff meetings and regional office hours are available on the CWS-CARES Production Simulation Hub. Counties and organizations may determine which sessions their staff should attend.
For full details, see the Upcoming CWS-CARES Prod Sim Onboarding Notification page on the CWDS website.
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Recap: Operational Alignment Session
On July 7, 2026, the CWS-CARES Project hosted the Operational Alignment Session. The session reinforced the purpose of Business Process Re‑engineering (BPR), an OCM activity focused on aligning current statewide operations with validated future CWS-CARES workflows.
During the session, participants reviewed key BPR concepts, upcoming activities, and guidance for preparing for the Delta Sessions, which are designed to help each organization pinpoint where local practices or policies need to align with CARES V1 workflow (Delta Session dates to be announced soon). Participants were also guided on how to use Prod Sim, business process maps, and updated project artifacts to identify operational differences. The team also shared recent workflow updates and a gap analysis framework to ensure organizations are working with the most current information.
A Q&A session followed, covering training, documentation, and communication need. The Project Team committed to providing follow‑ups.
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Reminder: Nine (9) Days Left to Register for CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9
Thank you to the 290 stakeholders who have already registered for the next Stakeholder Briefing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026! If you’ve not yet registered, we encourage you to attend the live webinar on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All stakeholders impacted by the changes to CWS-CARES are welcome to attend, ask questions, and hear updates from Project leadership.
Register now at: CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 | Registration. Note: A separate calendar invitation will not be sent by the CWS-CARES Project. Please manually add the .ics attachment in the registration confirmation email to your calendar.
The full agenda for the June 2026 Stakeholder Briefing is available to view on the CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefing #9 Registration page. Updates will include:
- Production Simulation
- Preparations for onboarding
- Available Functionality
- Status of environment fixes
- Implementation & Training
Thank you for participating in our Stakeholder Briefing webinar series! We hope to see you on July 22, 2026 to continue the conversation on the upcoming transition to CWS-CARES.
New Resources Now Available on the CWDS Website
The following resources are now available on the Stakeholder Webinar Materials page on the CWDS website:
- Stakeholder Briefing _8 June 2026 - Q&A - ACC.pdf
- Stakeholder Briefing 8 Slides - ACC.pdf
View all past content and dates for all upcoming CWS-CARES Stakeholder Briefings in 2026 on the Stakeholder Briefings and Webinars page on the CWDS website.
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CWS-CARES Environment for User Access: July 2026 Update
The CWS-CARES Project has published an updated overview of system environments as of July 2026. The CWS-CARES Environments for User Access: July 2026 Update provides a point-in-time overview of system environments, including their purpose, access, and availability, to support testing, training, and readiness activities ahead of Go-Live.
This resource is available on the CWS-CARES User Resources of the CWDS website.
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Additional Clarification: Microsoft Word 32/64-bit in CWS-CARES
CWS-CARES supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Word and does not require counties to only use 32-bit Microsoft Word. However, the Project recommends that counties retain 32-bit Word to support legacy documents migrating from the CWS/CMS system. Because those documents were created in an environment that supported 32-bit Word, counties using 64-bit Word may encounter compatibility issues or errors when opening some legacy documents. While these issues may not occur in every instance, the recommendation is intended to help minimize potential disruptions when accessing legacy documents.
Counties may choose to use 64-bit Word if they prefer, with the understanding that compatibility issues with some legacy documents may occur. The Project continues to evaluate long-term options for supporting legacy documents/potential conversion and will communicate any future updates as they become available.
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CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight: July 13, 2026
This week, the CWS-CARES Functionality Spotlight features the CWS-CARES Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) of the Week.
July 13, 2026 FAQ of the Week:
Q: Will Person Merge functionality be available in CWS-CARES to address duplicate client or person records?
A: Yes, Person Merge functionality will be available in CWS-CARES V1.
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.
Security Protocols for Prod Sim Case Data
The Prod Sim environment contains converted CWS/CMS cases reflecting actual system data as of April 17th; because this includes real, sensitive 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 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.