(1)  Will my child be emotionally traumatized and/or hate me for using a transport service?

    No. Many people have discovered that using a professional transport service is actually less stressful for everyone involved than attempting to fight with their child all the way to a school or program. Remember, by the time most parents consider utilizing a transport service they are physically and emotionally exhausted. Many families experience the stress of conflict with a child for years prior to making the decision to seek placement outside of the home. Their child has learned where every button is to push. Our agents arrive with a full supply of energy, patience and successful experience in working with troubled children. It is always rewarding and encouraging to visit with the youth that we have transported several months after our first meeting. In the majority of cases the youth are courteous and very respectful. At times the youth are even able to express some humor about the night they met the transport agents.

    A business is only as good as the people who are involved. As the owner of TOUCHDOWN, INC., I am dedicated to offering the finest people available in the youth transport business. All of us at TOUCHDOWN, INC., understand how precious children are and how difficult your decision has been to seek our service. Our approach to working with your child is firm yet loving. We are all committed to the mission of making the intervention and transport experience a successful one and to uphold the trust you have placed in selecting our service. Anyone considering our service is encouraged to read about the experiences of other families we have helped in the References section on this web site.

(2)  What happens during an intervention and transport?

    Once you have made the decision to select our services we will go to work on the planning and travel arrangements. This planning includes coordination with the school or program that you have selected. All of the financial compensation and paperwork will be completed and received by fax prior to the departure of our agents. On the day selected for the intervention with your child two agents will arrive at a predetermined time which is usually very early in the morning at your home. We like to schedule an early intervention in order to improve the odds that your child will be home when we arrive and to get an early start on our trip. We strongly discourage parents from discussing any part of the transport planning with their child to decrease the risk of a runaway. The element of surprise as applied to the intervention actually works to the safety and success of a transport experience. Our policy requires that after meeting at the home Dad or Mom will lead us to the youth's bedroom to begin the intervention. The introduction by the parent should be very brief and we prefer that both parents leave the room and remain out of sight during the rest of the intervention. This allows for our agents to develop control and concentrate on your child's behavior. If a female youth is involved one of our agents will be a female. Many of our transports cover very long distances. Therefore, the common mode of travel is to fly. Whenever possible we can also drive and are happy to do so. Upon arriving at the school or program we will contact you immediately in order to visit about the transport.

(3)  Are restraints used during the intervention and transport process?

    "Soft restraints" such as a knee brace or ankle brace are used as needed in order to reduce the adolescent's interest to run or escape. These restraints are simple orthopedic devices worn above the clothing and are removed when compliance is achieved. Handcuffs are available, however, are rarely used. The decision to use handcuffs is done only as a "last resort" in order to protect the safety of the child and/or the transport agents. Obtaining verbal and behavior compliance without the use of restraint tools is always the preferred objective.

(4)  If I am not sure of what program is best for my child can TOUCHDOWN, INC.
      offer suggestions?

    Yes. TOUCHDOWN, INC. is familiar with a variety of programs and/or boarding school options throughout the West, Mid-West and Southern United States. These resources offer a diverse range of cost and rehabilitative approaches for the troubled youth.

(5)  How can I know if a youth transport service is credible?

    Spend as much time as necessary to become comfortable with the service by asking questions and gathering information. Ask for references or review reference information on a web site if it is available. To engage in transport activity in California, all transport agents must by law complete a state and federal criminal background check in order to be listed as "cleared" by the California Trustline Registry. We, at TOUCHDOWN, INC., understand your desire to satisfy all concerns related to the safety and transport of your child and are delighted to visit about any questions you may have. In addition, we are pleased to announce that the transport services offered by TOUCHDOWN, INC., have been selected for listing as a referral resource by Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family ministry. An informative written guide entitled Resources for Troubled Teens describing our services as well as many other Christian programs, books and periodicals is available upon request from Focus on the Family.

(6)  How much will a transport cost me?

    It is common for a transport business to charge a fee ranging between $85 to $100 per hour and higher. TOUCHDOWN, INC. prefers a "flat fee" agreement. Variables considered in assessing this fee include travel requirements, difficulty of the assignment as well as food and lodging expenses if needed. The car rental and airfare expenses are additional expenses and can fluctuate with the latest reported petroleum shortage. TOUCHDOWN, INC. is willing in most cases to match or beat any other transport cost bid that you receive.

(7)  What if my child refuses to cooperate with the transport agents?

    The degree of compliance that a youth will provide to transport agents is remarkable in comparison to what parents can achieve. The surprise element, physical presence and verbal skills are all utilized to achieve successful results in the majority of cases.