DETROIT — Detroit is set to host a new initiative aimed at financially supporting expectant mothers, helping them manage the costs associated with raising a child. The program, known as Rx Kids, is slated to launch within the first 100 days of Mayor Mary Sheffield’s tenure.
Sheffield, who recently made history as Detroit’s first female mayor, revealed plans for the program on Monday. Rx Kids, developed by Michigan State University, will offer pregnant women a one-time payment of $1,500, followed by $500 monthly for the first six months after the baby is born. This financial assistance is intended to cover essential needs such as rent, utilities, food, and medical care.
The program is inclusive, requiring no income eligibility criteria. Interested mothers can register online, provided they verify their pregnancy status.
Initially launched in Flint, Michigan, in 2024, Rx Kids aims to alleviate poverty among families and infants. It has successfully expanded to 20 cities across the state, with plans to include an additional eight cities by January’s end.
Michigan State University oversees the program, which is managed by a nonprofit organization. To date, approximately $9 million has been secured for Detroit’s Rx Kids, with a further $2.5 million needed. Contributions come from various foundations and businesses, while the city pledges $500,000 annually for three years. Additionally, the state of Michigan has earmarked $250 million in its 2026 budget to support the program’s expansion.
Mayor Sheffield highlighted the pressing need for such initiatives, noting, “Half of our children are living in poverty,” with nearly 34% of Detroit’s 639,000 residents facing poverty. The median household income in Detroit stands at about $39,200, significantly lower than the state average of over $72,000.
The program’s founding director, Dr. Mona Hanna, a pediatrician and associate dean of Public Health at Michigan State, described Rx Kids as a “bold public health effort to improve outcomes.” She emphasized, “When our babies don’t have everything they need, that hurts them. It makes them sick.”
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