New Cash Aid Initiative to Support Mothers in Saginaw and Surrounding Areas
As part of an effort to enhance maternal and child health, a significant program offering financial assistance to new mothers is set to launch in Saginaw, including the Bridgeport and Buena Vista townships, starting January 12.
The initiative, known as Rx Kids, provides a financial lifeline to expectant mothers. Participants receive an initial $1500 during pregnancy, followed by $500 monthly for the first six to 12 months of their child’s life. Eligible participants must be at least 16 weeks pregnant at registration or have an infant born on or after January 1, 2026, to qualify for the program in Saginaw and the surrounding townships.
Dr. Monna Hanna, the founder and director of Rx Kids, emphasized the relevance of the program for Saginaw, drawing parallels with cities such as Flint and Detroit. “These communities also have a lot of kinds of geographic disparities, which means that… their place has these kinds of compound adversities, which make it really hard to be healthy,” Hanna explained.
The program’s rollout is a collaborative effort with the Saginaw County Health Department and BWell Saginaw. Christina Harrington, Health Officer for the Saginaw County Health Department, highlighted the initiative’s potential to stabilize family environments, thereby enhancing health outcomes. “Offering this program to all moms in three Saginaw County communities significantly strengthens the impact of what we are collectively doing to improve maternal and child health including prenatal care, WIC, home visiting and early childhood services,” Harrington stated.
During a recent press conference, a Saginaw mother, currently 38 weeks pregnant, expressed her gratitude for the program, as shared by Dr. Hanna. “This was her first baby, who shared how hard and stressful it was, how expensive it was to buy baby supplies,” said Hanna. The mother noted the high costs associated with baby products like laundry detergent, saying that “whenever something says baby, the price goes up,” and acknowledged the financial strain despite being employed.
Residents in the designated Michigan areas can apply for the program starting January 12 at 9 a.m.
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