DETROIT — A program that provides money to help expectant mothers deal with bills, expenses and the high cost of child care is coming to Detroit.
Democratic Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Monday that Michigan State University RX Kids The program is expected to open in the city within her first 100 days in office. Sheffield was elected In November, she was inaugurated last week as Detroit’s first female mayor.
The program gives a one-time allowance of $1,500 to expectant mothers during their pregnancy. This is followed by $500 per month for the child’s first six months after birth. Families are expected to use the money for rent, utilities, food, diapers, baby formula, transportation, medical care and other necessities.
There are no income requirements. Online registration. Recipients must verify they are pregnant.
Rx Kids started in 2024 In Flint, Michigan, it aims to lift families and infants out of extreme poverty. It has since expanded to 20 other cities across the state. By the end of January, eight more cities are expected to join.
The state of Michigan administers the program, which is run by a nonprofit organization.
Sheffield says about $9 million has been raised so far for Rx Kids in Detroit, while another $2.5 million is still needed.
Funding comes from various institutions and companies. The city will also provide $500,000 annually for the next three years. In its fiscal year 2026 budget, Michigan allocated $250 million to expand the two-year program.
“Half of our children live in poverty,” Sheffield told reporters, along with about a half-dozen mothers and dozens of young children. “This means that many of our children enter life burdened with financial hardship even before they take their first steps.”
About 34% of Detroit’s 639,000 residents live in poverty, according to census data. Detroit’s median household income is about $39,200 compared to more than $72,000 in the rest of the state.
Dr. Mona Hanna, a pediatrician and associate dean of public health at Michigan State, is the founding director of the program. She calls it “a bold public health effort to improve outcomes.”
“When our kids don’t get everything they need, it hurts them. It makes them sick,” Hannah said Monday.