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bullet How to Work with Parents
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Information About No-Nit Policy 

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Steps for Setting Up a Lice Busters Program
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Recruiting Volunteers
bullet What to Do in Case of an Outbrake
 
 

 

HOW TO WORK WITH PARENTS
 

  1. Contact parents. Promptly inform all parents of a student with head lice. Early detection will allow for quicker treatment.
  2. Be prepared for distraught parents. Reassure parents that head lice do not necessarily reflect unsanitary households or neglected children.

  1. Be prepared to answer questions. Learning that their child has been sent home due to lice infestation can be distressing to parents. Parents who have experienced prior infestations may feel unable to cope with a recurrence.

  2. Give suggestions. Parents often get frustrated when lice medications don't work. Suggest that they take the time to comb the child's hair with a lice comb, at least daily, until they are all gone, because this is the most important step to getting rid of lice. It is also important to wash the child's bedding and personal items that come into contact with their hair.

  3. Hand out the booklet. Send home the one page handout for parents (a master copy is provided in this binder under the “Handouts” tab) or the booklet, “What to Do in the Case of an Outbreak-For Parents” so that parents get the information they need (make sure the information is in the appropriate language for the parents). If parents are illiterate, explain to them their options and what they need to do for successful treatment verbally. Be calm with students and parents.

  4. Provide references. Refer parents to where they can receive information and get help with head lice removal in their homes (see the resources section).
    Vacuuming. Vacuum floors, furniture, etc. Do not leave the vacuum bag in the vacuum cleaner. Seal and discard the vacuum bag. Alert your custodian.

Some of the things schools might provide are:

HELP PARENTS GET RESOURCES

Some parents may not have the resources and supplies they need to treat a lice infestation. Treating a lice infestation can be time-consuming and costly. Parents may need more than information about how to treat an infestation. Although providing resources seems costly, schools lose far more money due to lowered attendance if they do not help children return to school. Organizations that may be helpful are listed on the back of this booklet.

  • Vacuum Cleaners: To loan out to families so they can vacuum up lice that have fallen into carpets, furniture, and cars.
  • Money: For washing and drying clothing, bedding, towels, etc. for families who do not have washers and dryers at home and cannot afford to wash everything that is necessary.
  • Lice Shampoos or other treatments: For parents who cannot afford to buy products. (Nix and Ovide are the only lice shampoos recommended by the Santa Cruz County Health Department.
  • Shower Caps: Some treatments require shower caps
  • Lice Combs: Metal teeth combs, not plastic, to comb nits out of hair. This is the most crucial step to getting rid of lice and good ones are expensive.
  • Volunteers: People willing to go to homes and help with vacuuming, washing, and combing.

 

Ask parents: If they need any resources or supplies to help them cope with an infestation. It is unreasonable to simply give treatment information and expect parents to comply if they lack the necessary resources. The goal is to help the children affected.

 

 

 

   

 

 

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