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Saginaw County presents Rx Kids cash‑assistance program for pregnant people and infants
Summary
Saginaw County Health Department outlined Rx Kids: a prenatal $1,500 one‑time payment (16+ weeks gestation) and $500 per month for the first six months after birth, administered by GiveDirectly; applications opened the morning of the meeting at rxkids.org and eligibility covers Saginaw, Buena Vista and Bridgeport.
Christina Harrington of the Saginaw County Health Department briefed the Saginaw City Council on Rx Kids, a cash assistance initiative designed to support pregnant people and infants in Saginaw and nearby townships.
Harrington described the program components: a one‑time prenatal payment of $1,500 available to pregnant people at 16 weeks gestation or later, and $500 per month for the first six months after the birth for eligible infants. The program is administered by GiveDirectly, which handles applications, geocoding and payments. Applications opened at 9 a.m. the morning of the presentation and are available at rxkids.org; local assistance will be available at the health department for people who need help applying.
Harrington cited pilot data from Flint, saying the program improved maternal engagement with care and early childhood outcomes. She said funding blends federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) support, state general fund allocations and private philanthropic dollars. The transcript summarized a statewide appropriation and an additional state allocation referenced in the presentation; Harrington said the program’s state funding commitment is expected to cover three years but that local philanthropic support will be needed to fill remaining gaps.
On administration, Harrington confirmed applicants must provide proof of residency and pregnancy documentation; GiveDirectly will geocode addresses and can issue payments by direct deposit or a prepaid card. She said the payments are issued as a stipend and that the program has worked with benefits programs to avoid reducing other assistance, though some impact on SSI is possible in certain cases. "It is their money to spend," Harrington said, underscoring the program’s unconditional cash approach.
Council members asked about the duration of secured funding, job impacts and whether there was a cap on participants; Harrington said state TANF and general fund appropriations underpin the initial rollout and that GiveDirectly and local partners have raised private funds; she said there is no participant cap and the program will initially cover Saginaw, Buena Vista and Bridgeport Township residents. The health department and community partners will continue outreach and provide application assistance.
