Detroit joining Michigan program that gives cash to expectant mothers
for essentials
[January 06, 2026]
By COREY WILLIAMS
DETROIT (AP) — A program that provides cash to help expectant mothers
cope with bills, expenses and the high cost of taking care of children
is coming to Detroit.
Democratic Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Monday that Michigan State
University's Rx Kids program is expected to open in the city within the
first 100 days of her taking office. Sheffield was elected in November
and was installed last week as Detroit's first female mayor.
The program gives a one-time allocation of $1,500 to expectant mothers
during pregnancy. That's followed by $500 per month throughout 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 essentials.
There are no income requirements. Sign-up is online. Recipients must
verify they are pregnant.
Rx Kids started in 2024 in Flint, Michigan, and is aimed at removing
families and infants from deep poverty. It has since expanded to 20
other cities around the state. By the end of January, another eight
cities are expected to be on board.
Michigan State runs the program, which is administered by a nonprofit.
Sheffield says about $9 million has been raised, so far, for Rx Kids in
Detroit, while another $2.5 million still is needed.
Funding comes from various foundations and businesses. The city also
will pitch in $500,000 annually over the next three years. The state of
Michigan, in its fiscal year 2026 budget, committed $250 million for
expansion of the two-year-old program.
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Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield holds child during an announcement of
the city's participation in Rx Kids program that provides cash to
help expectant mothers, Monday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP
Photo/Corey Williams)
 “Half of our children are living in
poverty,” Sheffield told reporters with about a half-dozen mothers
and a dozen young children behind her. “That means that too many of
our children are entering life’s journey burdened by financial
hardship before they even take their first steps.”
About 34% of Detroit's 639,000 residents live in poverty, according
to census data. The medium household income in Detroit is about
$39,200 compared to more than $72,000 for the rest of the state.
Dr. Mona Hanna, a pediatrician and associate dean of Public Health
at Michigan State, is the program's founding director. She calls it
a “bold public health effort to improve outcomes.”
“When our babies don't have everything they need, that hurts them.
It makes them sick,” Hanna said Monday.
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