My husband and I love being foster parents through Avant guard . Greg, Nikki , and all office staff are GREAT and supportive. They take my calls or texts at any time. I am so grateful for them. read more

I do not recommend this foster agency. If I could give this place zero stars I would. Some of the staff at this agency made it very unpleasant. They need to be professional and respectful with prospective foster parents. They want to rush you through the process but they are not clear about what fostering is about. The initial meeting to fill out paperwork is disorganized. This is a major decision in a person's life and they need to be more patient when explaining things and provide direction and not overwhelm you. read more

My spouse and I were new to fostering and selected Avant Garde from a list provided by the Riverside County, which allows Foster Agencies to process and vet prospective foster families. Our experience with this Foster Agency was awful. They're unprofessional, substandard, and retaliated against us. Read about my personal experience before making a decision. The intake process was quick and seemed to be moving in the right direction, but not always an organized or smooth process but it worked. We were certified and quickly received 3 kids in 2018. It was a challenge, but we heavily relied on Avant for support because they said that was their role BUT they completely fell short. There was no support and they lacked resources. Soon we were faced with a crisis with 1 child having emotional disorder and wanting to seriously hurt himself on many occasions. The Agency social worker failed to respond to check on the child or meet with us when we reported a crisis. She took short cuts. The less work she did the better. She only came out when it was convenient for her and needed to be on the road no later than 4PM. She never worked weekends, which is when the critical incidents occurred. We called her several times regarding these significant issues but neither she or Avant ever responded in person. The Director and the CEO never called to see what the problem was. Things went downhill with our relationship with Avant, but they were too proud to work it out with us. Avant refused to believe they could make mistakes or need to improve their systems. On the day of their 2018 Christmas party, our foster threatened suicide. I called the Agency social worker. S he text that she was on her way to the Christmas party. You would think a Foster Agency would be committed for the welfare of a child licensed under their Agency, and that she would've detoured to our house- She didn't. I called the Intake Supervisor but she could only listen to concerns but that was it. Our foster child was transported by police to a mental facility on a 72hr hold, BUT not once did this Agency respond there to check on him for the 3 days he was there. A Foster Agency is responsible for the child and there an extension of County Social Services. I get their Christmas party helps children- but spare a few hours or one person to check on a child. Four months into this miserable experience, we chose to leave to a different foster agency.The CEO and Director were upset, because they would lose money for each child. Foster Agencies collect for each child placed and it ranges in the thousands. From there this Agency became more unprofessional than I can describe. The Director came up with reasons to decertify us as foster parents and based them on their subjective and biased opinions against us. Her true colors came out when we refused to remain with her Agency and she was angry that we held them accountable for mistakes made and their lack of response and communication. Again we are not any Joe Blow off the street, but hold public servant careers and know what providing quality service is all about. The CEO was nowhere to be found and was dead silent on everything. The CEO should invest in foster parents and work on the conflict- not get insulted and retaliate, but that is exactly what the CEO did to us. In a 2018 article ( https://www.google.com/amp/s/anapr.com/2018/09/22/avant-garde-ffa-is-making-a-difference-in-foster-care/amp/ ) the CEO talked about his Agency working on their accreditation and was quoted, Estravit says, "We respect our foster parents and consider them family. We're all on the same team." To us that was a LIE and he never wanted to hear out concerns. The CEO should make it a point to work on living by his accreditation and not just frame and hang on the wall OR plaster it on his Facebook cover picture- STAND BY IT. The bottom line is this Agency is substandard to us and not credible. The new Director needs to work on dealing with how she reacts to disappointed clients and not yell and lose her cool or retaliate against us. She needs to learn what customer service is. The CEO became angry with me and my spouse for giving them a one- star review on Yelp a few weeks ago. He went to the extent of calling our employers to complain about a YELP review. One of our employers told us that that the CEO was engaging in harassment and intimidation tactics and was out of line. Only a CEO that is desperate to have the truth known engages in that behavior. He was so afraid he would lose prospective clients that he made calls to remove the one star reviews. So I am rewriting my review today to be more specific with my experience, because I want people to know what we went through. It's the right thing to do in this type of business that involves foster children. The CEO should self-reflect and avoid intimidation tactics- because it does not work. read more

This agency lacks integrity. If you need to find a great foster agency look elsewhere because this place won't deliver.

We have been working together for five years now. Great people! They really help us in every way possible whenever we need it.

Love this agency such a professional place. Staff is amazing from the CEO Greg E to the administrator Regina A. I recommend this agency to anyone who would love to be a foster parent. read more

I went a few weeks back inquiring on fostering and so forth. I never fostered before and I felt like I was suppose to do this. All the staff with so helpful and accommodating. They answered all my questions and helped fill out all the paperwork. They were very encouraging and in my point of view, knew were very well trained. I left the agency feeling even more secure on what has been placed on my heart. I'm grateful for this agency and the staff. I feel at ease and at peace. I'm looking forward to what the future holds. read more

I've been working close with this agency especially during Christmas season. I've seen them go way and beyond to see their children happy. I've been volunteering with them for years to purchase gifts for the holidays I can call them at any time to ask them about one of their children gifts and they know each one personally. I would just mention their first name and they know who I'm speaking about and what color, style they like. The reason I love helping them is because I myself was a foster child since the age of 9 and I've been blessed enough to be able to help in any way I can. I wish I had the support this foster care agency shows to their children and the love this social workers have for their children. Please dont be influenced by the negative reviews. read more

Community Care Licensing from the State of California continues to support all FFA's that are in compliance with Title 22 Regulations etc. Avant-Garde, FFA was recently accredited through CARF (Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) that overlooks the lives of persons served. This means, Avant-Garde, FFA is meeting the high quality standards that is expected from CARF. We regret to inform you (others) who are in disagreement that this FFA is of great standards and of services. In the field of Social Services, we are to be reminded that there will always be unexplained matters, answers that can't be given immediately, professional disagreements, and most of all, changes do take place at any given time even if we find it difficult to grasp. It is out of character to specifically put in writing who or what is unprofessional. Defamation of character is inappropriate (communication of a false statement that harms the reputation of). Yes, Freedom of Speech is protected, but in the end, we must move forward. read more