Youth Transport Service Blog
NATSAP Conference in La Jolla
(16 Mar 2010)
We were happy to attend the NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs) conference in January. La Jolla, CA is always ... More »

Youth Transport News
6th Dr. Phil Youth Transport

It has been 2 years since Dr. Phil provided an on air thank you and recognition of his use of ... More »

Youth Transport Testimonials

Thank you! Because of the clear and open communication, the pictures and bios on the web site that could be looked at ... More »

- Lisa mother of 14 year old Alyse out of Jamaica, NY

Caution In Choosing A Teen Transport - Troubled Youth Service

New Start Transports - Recommends The Following Considerations In Choosing A Teen Transport Service For Your Child.

Most states do not have licensing requirements specific to the transporting of troubled teens. This causes minimal if any enforcement of correct transport insurance bonding by both state and federal government.
While liability insurance specific to the transportation of struggling teens is not currently regulated or enforced, it is available and credible teen transport services carry it.
There are many troubled teen transportation services that follow transport procedures that may include the regular use of mechanical restraints and law enforcement tactics with youth clients similar in the treatment to a juvenile criminal. Often these approaches are not covered or bonded by the teen transport insurance providers.
The transportation of teens that may be unwilling is a high risk service to provide insurance for. Usually companies that act and operate similar to law enforcement are not only operating unethically, but out of the coverage of their insurance policy. Often teen transport services with these approaches may not carry insurance that covers the actual transportation of a youth.
When accessing the teen transport website, is the company open in the information of its management staff, transport associates, and the training requirements and standards that are implemented in its company?
Is the teen transport service incorporated? Many of the teen transport companies that understand the liability involved in the transportation of troubled youth, will operate as a corporation. This may be a good indication that the liability is understood by their company. This is also an additional source of credibility.
If the teen transport service you are working with operates in a state that does not offer specific licensing, are they still licensed and registered as a business specific to the transportation teens?
As the regulation for the troubled teen transport industry is not consistently regulated, there are various business approaches used for employing teen transport staff. Many teen transport services will subcontract their youth transport staff. As the teen transport work is very sporadic and inconsistent, this seems to be an approach used by many teen transport services. There are others that operate employee based youth transport services. In our research, we have found that both approaches can be ethical, appropriate, and provide the comfort and training that parents would want in a teen transport service. We have found that often the subcontracted staff may receive better pay compensation and are able to have more applicable tax deductions at the end of the year. We have also found that some subcontracted agent youth transport companies may not require as much training and credentials in the staff they use. We have found that often the insurance may not cover all of the staff used in the transporting of the teen. Please look into the specifics of the youth transport service you choose. As it will not seem ethical to ask what a teen transport staff makes specifically, you can verify the training credentials and other related items that can ensure the teen transportation company employs and hires credible youth transport staff.
If a teen transport service uses staff from all locations of the country, remember to look into the accountability,tracking, and training of the teen transport staff. We have found that many youth transport companies will employee staff in various locations that they have never personally met or trained in order to increase business opportunity. This also leads to concerns in the amount of training and supervision of the teen transport staff that may be used. Please make sure the teen transport service you consider is accountable for the transport agents that may assist a child you are familiar with.
Does the teen transport service allow their staff to use the training that they receive from other work or employment to account for and/or replace their company training? Please look into the amount of training that the transport service provides to its staff.
Does the teen transport service seem confident and knowledgeable in the explanations and information given on their website and over the phone? Preparation, training, and experience can never be too much in the industry of troubled teen transportation.
How long has the teen transport service been operating? There are many youth transport services that do not last in the business and others that are constantly attempting to open. Make sure that you are considering a reliable teen transport service.
Are the testimonials mentioned on the website believable? Does the youth transport service offer past parents that you may contact and/or other credible and professional references?
Is the teen transport service you may be considering willing to meet prior to the arrival of pick-up, in order to provide additional comfort and confidence to the parents and youth educational consultants?
Is the teen transport service currently in any settled or unsettled law suites? Do they provide transportation for youth treatment programs that have a high reputation of legal issues and family complaints?
Is the teen transport service receiving compensation from the youth programs they transport to? Is the transport service connected in any way to the youth program or school? We have found in research that there may be strong family and financial ties that cause a troubled teen program to recommend a teen transport service to its clients. Often these youth transport services will charge a reduced rate as they receive extra compensation from the school or program. In some situations, the youth transport escort service may even be indiscreetly owned by the teen program. This may not necessarily be negative. However, please be sure to make sure that you are still choosing the best teen transport service.
How professional is the teen transport service? Are you contacting a stay at home mother with children crying in the background and/or other things that may seem unprofessional. A youth transport service that is professional in all areas prior to the actual intervention and transport will most likely remain as, if not more, professional with an at-risk teen during the intervention and transport.
What are your main concerns in using a teen transport service? Be careful of transport services that offer exceedingly low transport prices. These are often the teen transport services that cannot afford to operate ethically. You will get what you pay for in the teen transport service industry. However, the most expensive is not necessarily the best either. Remember what is important and after those needs are met, then focus on the safety and cost effectiveness of the transport.

New Start Transports meets the needs and wants of the teens, parents, family members, consultants, and programs we provide services for and to. We would love to have your consideration in the transport service that is chosen for a struggling teen you may be familiar with. Please let us know what we can do to help!

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Page Last modified: November 30 2007.