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Discussion

Super Lice..

I have two students in the 3rd grade who has had Lice and Nits 9 times since August. I have given suggestions and referrals to the parents. I have also given them CDC paperwork. They continue to come back to school and I continue to send them home from school, they have missed 10 days of school in 1 semester and on the borderline of failing, already. I feel that I should call CPS, but the upper management does not. Both girls look unhealthy and disheveled all the time. The parents tell me they are doing everything possible, but I seriously doubt that. What are your thoughts?

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    • Featured Replies

    Can you treat them at school? Does your school system have a social worker that can do a home visit?

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    • Author

    No, I can't treat them at school and we do not have a social worker for this situation, unfortunately.

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    If you think there is neglect, the make the call to CPS. Maybe the parents need help with coping skills or parenting classes. Maybe they have a lower educational level and therefore a low understanding (absorbing info).

    Remember, you are a mandatory reporter. It is not your job to investigate, just to report what your suspicion is. If there is no issues at home, then CPS closes the case. If there are issues, then the family gets help.

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    You're a mandated reporter, so you don't need permission to call and I'm not sure anyone would find out. I don't think CPS tells the family who made the report.

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    • Experts

    Since head lice are not considered a health hazard, CPS would not get involved if the report was just about that. If your school policy prohibits head lice, excessive absenteeism because of untreated head lice would compel CPS involvement. Looking unhealthy would be too subjective for a CPS report and looking disheveled probably doesn't violate your school policy. Since this really results in an academic issue please don't feel responsible for this situation; you've done what you can. Has administration done anything about the absenteeism and low performance?

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    It can't hurt to file a CPS report based on signs of neglect. The head lice alone wouldn't be a reason for me but looking "unhealthy" might be.

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    Does your school mandate sending home for lice? I know we aren't allowed to send them home where I work. I think the hygiene issues are a separate issue and you could call CPS for that if you are truly concerned. Are the parents actually treating the case appropriately? Half my families think all they have to do is shampoo with the stuff and they are done. It is rare that they follow the daily combing regimen and re-treat on day 7. Also, what did they use to treat> We have ahd great luck with "lice freee", a non-toxic spray-in treatment. I keep it at school and saturate the hair with it and it usually does the trick. As a school nurse, I got a free kit, plus coupons to give to parents: Licefreee Non-toxic Remedies for Head Lice

    | Licefreee!

    Worth a try

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    I also wonder if maybe the parents have lice, so they are just constantly being re-infested. I have had lots of parents ask me to do a lice checks on them when they discover that their child has lice, I never say no. The other question would be are they being treated adequately? My little cousin had lice that her parents could not get rid of despite treating per the schedule on the treatment, but they weren't doing to the heavy duty combing that we all know is paramount! CPS around here would not care much for a call based only on head lice.

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