Rx Kids Brings Hope and Support to Families in Wayne County

November 13, 2025

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced a $7. 5 million commitment to bring the Rx Kids program to six cities across the county, providing direct cash payments to pregnant women and families with newborns.

Who is affected

Pregnant mothers and families with newborns in River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn
Families in Wayne County who have experienced economic disinvestment and racialized poverty
Communities in Flint, Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak Township, Hazel Park, and Clare County (where the program already exists)

What action is being taken

Wayne County is investing $7.5 million to launch the Rx Kids program in six cities
Applications are opening for pregnant mothers and new parents
The funding combines Wayne County resources with state TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) dollars
The state has invested $270 million to extend the program to additional communities over the next three years

Why it matters

This program addresses economic instability during pregnancy and early infancy, a critical period for family and child development. By providing unconditional financial support without work requirements or restrictions, it removes barriers that force families into survival mode and allows caregivers to focus on nurturing. The Flint pilot demonstrated measurable improvements in maternal health outcomes and reductions in preterm births, showing that direct cash assistance can effectively confront structural inequities and break cycles of poverty in historically disinvested communities.

What's next

Applications are opening for pregnant mothers and new parents in the six participating Wayne County cities to receive the financial support ($1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first six months).

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle