Head Lice

Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or on shared personal items, or by lying on infested furniture, carpeting, or bedding. Lice are not a health hazard, nor are they life threatening. They are an infestation that is treatable and preventable.

Ninety percent (90%) or more of children who are detected to have lice are treated successfully by their parents or caretakers. When the usual interventions are not working, families, schools, and caregivers occasionally need more support. These guidelines are designed to assist in understanding the roles and responsibilities of those involved.

Support Guidelines

Step 1:

The school or child care provider identifies a child with lice. The parents or caretakers are provided with information and instructions on how to treat the condition. If schools or child care providers do not have educational information and instructions, Stearns County Public Health Division will provide the schools or parents with this information.  Development and enforcement of attendance policies and practices are the responsibility of the School District or child care provider.

Step 2:

If a case of lice reoccurs within one month, or does not seem to be responding to initial interventions, the school or child care provider will repeat the recommendations, and may wish to consult with Stearns County Public Health Division.

Step 3:

If there is a third re-occurrence within a short time period or a persistent lack of response to interventions, the school or child care provider is encouraged to make a referral to Stearns County Public Health Division for intervention services.

Public Health Process

Once Stearns County Public Health Division is in receipt of referral, the following activities will occur:

  • Staff will check within Human Services to assess if the child is already receiving services from the department.
  • The family can be provided detailed instructions and education on lice treatment.
  • Supplies can be provided to assist with treatment.
  • A public health nurse will provide a follow up contact in person or by phone as warranted.

Step 4:

For complex cases, Stearns County Human Services’ Public Health and Family and Children’s Divisions will be responsible for coordinating a team intervention approach. The team will include, but is not limited to:

  1. Public health nurse and social worker from Stearns County
  2. School nurse
  3. School social worker
  4. Parents/caretakers
  5. Family/community members (as warranted)
  6. Personal care services
  7. Other persons as appropriate or apparent that the family or other professionals identify

The public health nurse will be responsible for obtaining parental consent for the team meeting.  A wraparound concept will be used in order to eradicate the lice.

Step 5:

When parents and/or caretakers have failed to cooperate with, or respond to, team intervention services and instructions provided, a referral will be made by either the school or Public Health to the Family and Children Services Division for voluntary child welfare services. Child welfare services will address the following:

  1. Parent’s ability to care for the well-being of their children.
  2. Parent’s commitment to care for the well-being of their children.
  3. Family's living environment.
  4. Children’s school attendance.
  5. Family and community resources.

Step 6:

If parents or caretakers refuse voluntary services from Stearns County Human Services, school officials will be notified.

Step 7:

School officials need to follow school district procedures if they believe that educational neglect exists and refer the child/children to the County Attorney’s Office as educational neglect.

More Information

Call 320.656.6000 or 1.800.450.5893 for more information, or visit:

www.headlice.org/
www.health.state.mn.us/
www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html