Rx Kids provides eligible families with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly during the baby’s first six months up to a year. The program is currently operating in 42 Michigan communities, including Muskegon and Muskegon Heights.
“So, we started in Flint, and we were quickly able to prove that this is working.”
Dr. Mona Hanna is Rx Kids’ director. She says the rollout in other Michigan cities is proving successful.
“We are seeing more stable families, less evictions in Flint. We saw a 90% drop in evictions, less hunger, more food satisfaction, families are able to make ends meet. We’re also seeing improved maternal mental health, a decrease in postpartum depression and stress and anxiety.”
According to the U.S. census, approximately 12% to 15% of Muskegon County families live below the poverty line, or nearly 24,000 residents.
President and CEO of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Rachel Gorman says since the pandemic, working moms have been forced to make the difficult decision of whether to work or stay home to care for their family.
“Especially in Muskegon County, these business leaders are getting very creative to get moms back in the working place and being creative of what that working day looks like. So, this is just such an exciting program to layer onto that creativity and encourage moms to be in the workplace.”
Rx Kids will expand to 20 additional Michigan communities throughout the summer.
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