STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE TREATMENT OF HEAD LICE

A.   GENERAL CONDITIONS

In 2008, the Scott County Area Schools and Community Head Lice Management Plan guidelines were released and approved by the superintendents from all four Scott County school districts. The guidelines were based on national best practices and research.

This information was designed to be family friendly and sensitive to individual needs. The number one goal of these guidelines is to support families and keep kids where they need to be…in school!

1. Children will be screened at school if lice are suspected or as a result of a reported case. General classroom screenings are not recommended.
2. A trained health professional, such as a school nurse, will decide when screening is needed.
3. School staff will let families know the same day if their child has been identified with head lice. This communication will occur by phone or letter.
4. School staff will not notify other students and families if there is one case of head lice in the classroom. If there are many cases of head lice in the classroom families and students will then be notified.
5. Packets of information will be provided to parents with educational resources about head lice treatment.  A packet of information is included in the Scott County  Area Schools and Community Head Lice Management Plan available on the Scott County web site at http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/health/lice_plan.php
   1. “Getting Rid of Head Lice: 14 Day Treatment” brochure obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health (1-800-369-2229) 
   2. “14-Day Treatment for Head Lice” handout obtained from Iowa Department of Public Health.
   3.  Questions and Answers About Lice
6. Parents will be strongly encouraged to treat promptly.  Students will be allowed to return to school after proper treatment has begun.  With prompt and thorough treatment, a student will be allowed to return to school the following day.
7. It will be at the school nurses discretion when the student needs to be rechecked for head lice.
8. If the school nurse determines that the individual case interferes with the ability of the student to learn, it will be at the nurses discretion to determine if the student needs to be excluded from school.  The student may be excluded until further family education has occurred per the Scott County Area Schools and Community Head Lice Management Plan.
   1.  “Getting Rid of Head Lice: 14 Day Treatment” brochure obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health (1-800-369-2229) 
   2. “14-Day Treatment for Head Lice” handout obtained from Iowa Department of Public Health.
   3.  Questions and Answers About Lice

2. EXTENDED ABSENCE
   1. One excused absence will be granted due to head lice infestation.
   2. After two consecutive days absent, the school nurse will contact the parents/guardians or actual custodians to assess the progress being made and to offer further advice or resources utilizing the Scott County web site at http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/health/lice.php.  The nurse will also inform the parent that the attendance officer will be notified if the child is not in school the following day.
   3. If a child is absent three (3) or more consecutive days due to head lice infestation, the school nurse shall notify the attendance officer who will initiate the appropriate action.
   4. If a child, who has been previously referred to the attendance officer, becomes infested with head lice on subsequent occasions, the school nurse shall notify the attendance officer on the first day the child is absent.  Children who are absent more than 12 consecutive days due to head lice infestation will be considered chronic truants, and the parent(s) of said child may be subject to truancy charges. 

    

   • Updated 4/91, 12/97, 4/98, 7/03,  8/08
   • Reviewed 8/99, 7/03

   • References: Scott County Health Department Clinical Services Programs: Head Lice: Scott County Area Schools and Community Head Lice Management Plan and resources, 2008, retrieved August 28, 2008 from http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/health/lice.php