In response to why block grants are not the best thing for breastfeeding in
the WIC program.
Three or four years ago, NYS WIC began an initiative to promote and support
breastfeeding.  This was backed by grants that were applied for by local
agencies who wanted to begin the project.  The grants were generous and we
were able to really able to get things going.  I was hired and provided with
a budget for breastpumps and other supplies (like SNS, shells), literature
for clients and a budget to recruit and train Peer Counselors.  Last year
the budget was slightly reduced because initial start up costs were to be
eliminated.  This year the Breastfeeding budget was combined with the
overall state budget.  As a result, although the "powers that be" are still
*saying* that they support breastfeeding, the budgets all around the state
were severely slashed and breastfeeding programs are the first to go.  I
have no money-not one penny- for any supplies-no training materials for Peer
Counselors, pumps or literature for clients.  My hours will be cut as have
been many others around the state.(Many Breastfeeding Coordinators were let
go or their hours cut to 7-10 hours a week!)  I am still mandated to run the
same PC program but the counselors, who were not paid but were given some
gift certificates at local stores since we were unable to reimburse these
women for their time and out of pocket expenses, will not be given anything
for their time and trouble.  I am really panic stricken about how to get all
this stuff done in fewer hours with no money.  There will be no time left to
actually counsel women who are having problems.  On Thursday I was told to
refer them to LLL!  This will bring us back to WIC of the '80s- when women
were told to breastfeed by the WIC nutritionists but were given no help when
they had problems.  You know the theory about when things go well people
keep it to themselves and when things go poorly they tell EVERONE?  Well,
that's what happened in WIC and the general impression by the clients was
that breastfeeding was painful and lots of trouble.   I really fear that
this is what will be happening again.
So- my impression (and the feedback that I get from others with more
experience) is that, while block granting may not have much impact on other
aspects of WIC, it WILL impact breastfeeding.  As the budgets stood before,
they were independent of the rest of the WIC monies.  Now they will be
lumped together and very easily cut out of the overall budget.  The
Breastfeeding Coordinators at WIC will go the way of the BF Coordinators in
the hospitals-they'll give the job to the person with the free time, rather
that spend the money on an *expensive expert*. There are no  kickbacks from
the formula companies when a mom breastfeeds!!
So-again- I urge those of us who advocate breastfeeding to get out there and
let their elected officials know that block granting is NOT the way to go
for WIC.
        I thank all of you for listening and for all the help you may choose
to give.  I also thank you for allowing me to vent my frustration after the
horrible week I've had trying to fit 25hours of work into the very few that
are left to me!!  If any of you out there who work for WIC have had similar
experiences, let others know.  It may help to rectify this situation later.
(Seems like I'm forever on a soapbox out here!)
Barbara Leshin-Zucker, BA, IBCLC
Highland Mills, NY