Head lice: Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Infestations by head lice become most apparent at the beginning of each school year.   Parents, day care providers, school officials and healthcare professionals frequently seek information and solutions to this burdensome problem.  Accordingly, we have provided answers to frequently asked questions concerning this subject.  We hope this information will be useful.

Why were my children sent home from school (the No Nits policies)? 

Lice on children's heads, by themselves, should not be cause for the schools or courts to brand the parents as 'neglectful' or 'abusive'. We are aware of several cases where the courts have ordered children removed from the custody of their parents because of their apparent failure to eliminate the infestations. Such extreme actions to an infestation are generally unwarranted and may suggest poor judgment on the part of those making policy decisions.