Lake County warns statewide CWS CARES launch could endanger child safety

Rachel Delman Parsons, Lake County’s social services director, told the board that testing of the statewide CWS CARES child-welfare computer system showed multiple unresolved defects and that the scheduled October 26 launch “is no longer compatible with protecting child safety.”

Parsons said the county supports a modernized statewide system but that an unready rollout “risks missing critical information, delays response to children and families, and compromises safety decisions.” She told the board Lake County had already joined other county welfare directors in seeking trailer-bill language to delay the launch by six to eight months.

Parsons described testing and conversion problems identified since Lake County first accessed the system on Oct. 17 and warned the county could face operational, legal and financial consequences if an incomplete platform goes live. The presentation concluded with Parsons saying the board had already signed an advocacy letter to the legislature and was not being asked to take further action at this time.

The presentation included a video prepared by Riverside County highlighting statewide frontline concerns and asked state leaders to “delay implementation until the system is ready and child safety can be protected.”