Hi Netters, Tis the season for the Title V MCH Block Grant Applications to be sent to the feds. In Ohio, we are having our hearings next week. I just received my copy of the block grant application draft from the Ohio Health Department today (talk about last minute.....) As I feared, they do not mention breastfeeding in the objective to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. There is 1/2 page of childhood nutrition activities (the first one is Oral Rehydration Tx....something that probably would not even be an issue if mothers breastfed). Ohio plans to count breastfeeding mothers as another activity (somehow they fail to see that just counting does not increase the numbers....). There are approximately 5 1/2 pages of activities and objectives relating to dental health (yes, I am serious!) From the way the application reads, the leading cause of problems for Ohioans is rampant baby bottle tooth decay and unsealed molars. Are LCs in other states monitoring this block grant? It is a great way to bring breastfeeding to the attention of those in charge of state health policy. We LCs, here in Ohio, bang our heads against the bureaucratic walls annually, go out for lunch together and take on the challenge of trying to find out as much as possible about the block grant process as we can (the last 2 years they have told us we cannot ask questions, but we have asked and received answers any way). I would be interested to hear what is going on in other states. Martha Grodrian Brower RD LD IBCLC A non-edentulous Ohioian with lots of fillings (and 2 crowns from teeth broken while eating breakfast cereal--true!) (As you can see, with 2 crowns I truly am a queen!)