WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – The cash assistance program for pregnant women and new parents is expanding to six cities in Wayne County.
The county is investing $7.5 million to support the launch of the Michigan State University Rx Kids program in the following cities:
- River Rouge
- Hamtramck
- Highland Park
- Inkster
- Melvindale
- Dearborn
Starting on Nov. 10, pregnant women in these cities can apply to get $1,500 during their pregnancies, and then $500 per month for the first six months of their child’s life, according to a release from the county.
“This is a game-changer for our communities. Rx Kids is not just a program—it’s a movement to uplift families and invest in the future of our county,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “Bringing Rx Kids to Wayne County is part of a broader initiative to create healthier communities.”
In addition to support from the local communities, the program will receive funding from the recently approved 2025-2026 state budget of $250 million.
Nearly one in three children lives below the poverty line, with Wayne County ranking among the highest in the state for child poverty rates, according to the release.
Nyah Phillips, of Inkster, is 29 weeks pregnant and preparing to become a first-time mom. She joined Wayne County officials during a press conference to announce and celebrate the expansion of the program. You can watch the full press conference in the video at the top of this article.
She will be among the first to apply for the Rx Kids program in Wayne County.
“I’m a soon-to-be mom. I’m really excited to be here,” Phillips said. “One of the reasons I’m so emotional is because I’m a child who experienced what it’s like when these programs don’t exist.”
She said the reason she’s here today is because of the sacrifices that her mother made.
“My mom was the one that, unfortunately, had to be an example of why these programs are so important,” said Phillips. “The only reason that she made it through was because she had to sacrifice so extremely hard. She sacrificed her health, her safety, her well-being, and her happiness to make sure that we had everything that we needed.”
Phillips said she didn’t realize as a child that her family struggled financially.
“I didn’t even know I was a child who didn’t have enough money because we always had food to eat,” Phillips said. “I didn’t know my mom didn’t always have food to eat.”
Phillips also shared some challenges she’s experienced during her own pregnancy.
During her first trimester, Phillips said she moved and was living alone for a new job. Shortly after moving, she was laid off, and not long after that, she learned that she was six weeks pregnant.
Phillips said that as her symptoms intensified, she struggled to work consistently. She was extremely sick, fatigued and rapidly losing weight, and with low blood sugar, she was at risk for fainting.
The soon-to-be mom said she went nearly three months without income, depleting her savings and falling behind on bills.
Now in her third trimester, Phillips is back near her family and partner, and said she is safe and healthy.
“I am grateful that I have the ability to prepare for this new season with a program like Rx Kids,” Phillips said.
She also emphasized why having programs like Rx Kids matters.
“Pregnancy and childbirth can function like a temporary disability,” said Phillips. “Rx Kids is making it so mothers like myself have room to breathe and focus on what’s most important, which is being healthy and safe and growing a healthy and safe baby.”
The program’s cash support helps expectant mothers pay bills, keep housing, and maintain their health during this critical time.
“Rx Kids recognizes that this is a time in a family’s life that is wonderful, but can also be challenging, and they’re working to address it in a way that respects mothers and new parents without restricting them by income or status,” said Phillips.
Phillips said she had been researching the program, but couldn’t apply until it launched in her community.
This is also a “full-circle moment,” because she first met Dr. Moana Hanna, the director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, while she was a freshman at Michigan State.
Dr. Hanna highlighted the importance of this program now being available for mothers in these six Wayne County communities.
“As a pediatrician who once cared for families in Wayne County, I know this community’s strength—but also the health challenges too many babies face when they’re born into poverty,” said Dr. Hanna. “That’s why this expansion of Rx Kids is so critical. Together with local leaders, we’re ensuring every baby and family has a healthier start—and building a stronger, healthier Michigan for generations to come.”
Pregnant mothers in these communities can begin enrolling in the program on Monday, Nov. 10. They must be at least 16 weeks pregnant or have an infant born on or after Nov. 1, 2025, at the time of enrollment, according to the release.
You can click here to learn more about the program and apply.