The state Child Welfare Digital Services project's Intake Digital Services last week launched Snapshot 1.0, the first release of CWS-CARES functionality, which is now up and running and accessible by 22 county social workers. These users from across California represent Core Counties who are helping the state research, design and develop the new system to replace the legacy child welfare system.
CWS-CARES is the acronym for Child Welfare Services — California Automated Response and Engagement System.
Snapshot 1.0, a limited initial release, uses the CWDS cloud infrastructure, Web application architecture and user-centered design methodology. CWDS priorities include expanding Snapshot and rolling it out in phases toward eventual statewide use.
"Consistent with Agile methodologies to refine and improve the way software is developed, the project is adding Program Increment 5.7 to its regular development cycle to spend two weeks examining ways to optimize performance," according to a news release from Bill Maile, communications director for CWDS. "For example, CWDS underwent the initial stages of regrouping development teams, called Team Optimization, which will allow greater flexibility to move resources across digital teams to spike development according to shifting priorities."
The project has also begun creation of a new collective referred to as the CWDS Research + Design Studio, centralizing the project’s research and design team members to broaden their contributions and reduce duplicative work.
CWDS Digital Teams will hold public sprint reviews monthly, with details of progress published regularly online. Stakeholders can stay updated by visiting the CWDS website.
Core County representatives will continue to provide feedback to the research and design team, as user-centered design remains the main tenet of the project.
