Why Detroit Isn’t Included in Wayne County’s New $1,500 Pregnant Mom Support Program

November 20, 2025

The Rx Kids program, which provides direct cash payments to expectant and new mothers, has expanded to six Wayne County communities but excludes Detroit due to jurisdictional reasons. The initiative offers eligible mothers $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months after birth, targeting areas with high child poverty rates. Detroit was not included because it operates its own independent health department, while the county-administered program only serves municipalities without their own health departments.

Who is affected

Expectant and new mothers in six Wayne County communities: River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, and Dearborn
More than 3,900 families who have already received support through Rx Kids since its 2024 launch
Newborn babies and children in participating municipalities
Detroit residents (who are excluded from this expansion but can access services through Detroit's independent Department of Health)
Families living below the poverty line in Wayne County (nearly one-in-three children)

What action is being taken

Eligible expectant mothers in the six participating Wayne County communities can now apply to receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first six months of their child's life
The program is delivering direct cash support to families during the critical early stages of child development
Wayne County's Health Department, Human Services, and Veterans Services are administering the program to communities without municipal health departments

Why it matters

This program addresses critical health and economic challenges in communities with some of the highest child poverty rates in Wayne County and Michigan. The direct cash support helps families during the most vulnerable period—pregnancy and early infancy—when financial stability significantly impacts maternal and infant health outcomes. Participating areas have reported near-universal enrollment and significant improvements in health outcomes, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. As the nation's first community-wide, no-strings-attached cash support program for new and expectant mothers, it represents an innovative approach to reducing poverty's impact on child development and family well-being.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle