The CARES Explorer Newsletter – September 2024 Issue

To: CARES SPOCs and Implementation Coordinators 
CC: County, Tribe, Probation, and State Leadership, OCM Coordinators, Specific CWDA Staff Related to Child Welfare  
We are pleased to share the CARES Explorer - September 2024 issuethe newsletter for staying up to date on the CWS-CARES project.

This is sent directly to our key stakeholders for project communications: County, Tribe, Probation, and State leadership, CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs), Organization Implementation Coordinators, and specific CWDA staff related to child welfare.  
This issue contains information on: 
  • Stakeholders:Discover the ways that the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) is working on the project and understand the role of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as the CWS-CARES project sponsorRead about El Dorado County’s contributions to CWS-CARES and how the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) serves as a voice for tribal governments and native children.  
  • CWS-CARES: This issue highlights the Case Management Service Area and seven related functions including Prevention Services, Case Plan, and Placement. There is a spotlight on the Smarty Streets address validation featurean update on connectivity between CWS-CARES and CalSAWS, and ways that counties participate in data conversion.  
  • Hidden Gems:Learn more about our progress with holistic design, participation in conferences, and take the survey to vote on what merchandise to feature in our new CWS-CARES branded store. 
We recommend that you share this newsletter at your discretion with staff that are impacted by the changes coming with CWS-CARES. When executives or key staff take the initiative to communicate about CWS-CARES directly, it shows staff that leadership values the project and its impact on child welfare. This fosters a sense of ownership and encourages staff to actively participate in learning about CWS-CARES. 

The CARES Explorer – September 2024 issue is now available here: The CARES Explorer - September 2024
You may also obtain all CARES Explorer issues on the CWDS website: CARES Compass/Explorer | Child Welfare Digital Services 
If you have any questions, need clarification, or have any accessibility issues, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Relations 

Action Required: 
We request that all CARES Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) and Implementation Coordinators coordinate and distribute the CARES Explorer Newsletter to all staff impacted by CWS-CARES.