Wayne County approves Rx Kids cash-allowance pilot for six high-need communities

The Wayne County Commission on Nov. 7 approved an agreement with Michigan State University to launch Rx Kids, a place-based cash-allowance program that provides expectant mothers in designated communities a one-time prenatal payment of $1,500 and $500 per month for the first six months after birth.

Kanele Johnson, interim director of the Department of Health and Human and Veteran Services, told commissioners the program will launch in six high-need communities — River Rouge, Inkster, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Melvindale and Dearborn — chosen for their elevated social vulnerability and childhood poverty rates. Johnson described Rx Kids as a public-health intervention aimed at reducing financial stress in the prenatal and early-infancy window, improving birth outcomes and giving families stability when newborn-care costs are highest.

"Rx Kids provides direct cash allowances to mothers during pregnancy and their babies' first 6 months of life," Johnson said, explaining enrollment requires residing in a designated Rx Kids community and verification at or after 16 weeks of…