The Rx Kids program, initiated in Flint in 2024 by Dr. Mona Hanna, is expanding across Michigan to support families with newborns, including new communities like Hazel Park, Royal Oak Township, and six areas in Wayne County.

This program provides direct cash assistance to pregnant women and new mothers, offering $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months after birth, with no income restrictions and flexible use of funds.

Funded through a mix of private donors, public sources, and state funding, Rx Kids features a simple, 10-minute application process designed for quick access.

Participants, including expectant mothers and families with children born on or after September 1, 2025, benefit from the financial aid, which aims to alleviate stress and support essentials like diapers, rent, and childcare.

Dr. Mona Hanna describes Rx Kids as a 'prescription for health, hope, and opportunity,' emphasizing its goal to reduce poverty and improve community health through targeted financial support.

Research from Flint shows the program has increased prenatal care, reduced neonatal intensive care admissions, and decreased interactions with Child Protective Services.

Since March, over 300 families in the Upper Peninsula have participated, primarily using the aid for healthcare access and financial stability during pregnancy and postpartum.

In communities like Pontiac, families use the funds for essentials such as baby supplies, food, utilities, rent, and clothing, highlighting its role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Since its launch, the program has distributed over $13 million to more than 3,000 families across Michigan, demonstrating significant reach and impact.

Support from organizations like the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which donated $200,000, underscores the program's importance in providing immediate relief to families.

Local officials, including Oakland County Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault, actively support Rx Kids, emphasizing the importance of resources for healthy child development.

Recipients like Celeste Lord-Timlin have used the funds for essentials like strollers and daycare, illustrating how the program alleviates financial stress for working families.

Expansion to Wayne County is pending final approval, but ongoing challenges like the Michigan state budget impasse may influence the program's future.