How to Choose the Right Teen Transport Company

When a family reaches the point of hiring a professional transport company for their adolescent, they are almost always in crisis. The teen may be using substances, refusing to attend school, engaging in self-harm, or exhibiting behavior that puts themselves or others at risk. In this state of urgency, it can be tempting to hire the first company that answers the phone. That is a mistake.

The adolescent treatment transport industry is largely unregulated. With the exception of Utah, which requires licensing through the Division of Licensing and Background Checks, most states have no specific oversight of companies that transport minors to treatment programs. This means the burden of due diligence falls entirely on the family.

Start with Credentials, Not Marketing

Every transport company will tell you they are the best. Their websites will feature reassuring stock photos and testimonials. Look past the marketing and focus on verifiable credentials. Does the company carry commercial liability insurance? Are their staff background-checked? Do they have training certifications in crisis intervention, de-escalation, or adolescent behavioral health? Are they licensed in Utah (even if they are not based there), which is the only state with a formal licensing process?

The Youth Support Standards Project maintains a directory of transport providers with transparent information about each company's credentials, Google Reviews, employee reviews, and family reviews. This is a good starting point for research.

Evaluate Their Clinical Integration

The single most important differentiator between transport companies is whether they treat transport as a clinical event or a logistics operation. Companies that employ staff with clinical backgrounds — licensed therapists, certified counselors, or individuals with extensive behavioral health experience — approach the transport fundamentally differently than companies that hire drivers with basic training.

Ask the company: Do you coordinate with the receiving treatment program before the transport? Do you share clinical information with the program to ensure continuity of care? Do your staff members have the training to recognize and respond to a mental health crisis during transport? The best companies in the industry — and there are a handful that genuinely stand out — treat the transport as the first therapeutic intervention, not just a ride.

Check Their Technology

Modern transport companies should offer real-time tracking and communication platforms. If a company cannot tell you where your child is during the transport, that is a significant red flag. The most innovative providers have developed proprietary platforms that allow families to track the transport in real time, communicate with the transport team, and receive updates at every stage of the journey. This level of transparency is not just a nice-to-have — it is a reflection of how seriously the company takes accountability.

Read the Reviews — All of Them

Google Reviews are a starting point, but they only tell part of the story. Many transport companies have very few Google Reviews because the nature of the service makes families reluctant to leave public feedback. Look for patterns rather than individual reviews. If multiple families mention poor communication, that is a real signal. If employees describe a toxic work environment or inadequate training, that should concern you — because the people transporting your child are the same people working in that environment.

The YSSP directory aggregates Google Reviews, employee reviews (similar to Glassdoor), and family reviews for each listed provider. This gives families a more complete picture than any single review source can provide.

Ask About Their Team Size and Structure

A two-person transport team is the industry standard for most situations. Some companies cut costs by sending a single escort, which creates safety risks for both the teen and the staff member. For higher-risk situations — teens with a history of violence, elopement, or active substance use — a three-person team may be appropriate. Ask the company how they determine team size and what their protocol is if the situation escalates beyond what the assigned team can handle.

Trust Your Instincts

When you speak with a transport company on the phone, pay attention to how they talk about the adolescents they serve. Do they refer to teens with respect and empathy, or do they use language that suggests they view resistant teenagers as problems to be managed? The culture of a transport company starts at the top and flows through every interaction. If something feels off during your initial conversation, it probably is.

For families who want professional guidance navigating this decision, independent case management consultants can provide objective recommendations based on the specific needs of the family and the teen. Organizations like Coast Health Consulting specialize in helping families coordinate the entire treatment process, including transport selection.