On July 3, 2025, UPE met with the County regarding the new program that will replace CWS-CMS, CWS-CARES in October 2026. The State of California has allocated the department thirty-three (33) slots to provide to selected users for familiarization with CWS-CARES.
The department requested UPE to provide the names across the following CPS programs: Clerical, Hotline/Informal Supervision, Emergency Response Investigation, Court Services/Permanency/Adoption/EFC, and Placement/Kin Connection/Visits/Transportation. They also requested names from the following DHA program: Foster Care Eligibility.
Since this familiarization is most likely to occur during work hours, UPE wanted to know how it would impact the work of employees who would be provided with access to the Sandbox. The department stated that it can be done at the employees’ leisure. UPE also asked if feedback was mandatory. The department stated that feedback is welcomed but not mandatory. UPE reminded the department that, due to understaffing, most employees may not have the leisure time to play in the Sandbox. The names were to be provided to the department by the close of business on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Thank you for your advocacy, Sarah Singleton and Sylvia Garcia
