Rx Kids gives eligible families $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly during a baby’s first six months up to one year. Participants must reside in a participating community, be at least 16 weeks pregnant or the parent or guardian of a newborn.
“Being a community health worker in this community, I feel there’s a lot of resources that is needed, so this is a blessing.”
Professional doula Artie Degrate is six months pregnant with her first child. As a Grand Rapid’s resident living in the 49507 ZIP code, she is eligible to enroll in Rx Kids starting July 1st.
“Some women who are pregnant, they can’t work, so a little bit of extra money will help, and then postpartum, you can’t go back to work right away, or sometimes the time off, you only get like 12 weeks, and extra money will help you stay at home with your baby.”
Rx Kids Director Dr. Mona Hanna says she wishes the program could be rolled out across Grand Rapids, but the greatest need was on the city’s southeast side.
“People are in a bind and they’re making really hard choices. Do I go back to work after a week of having a baby or do I pay for diapers? How about the utilities? So, this provides families a little bit of buffer during this really vulnerable time.”
Forty-two Michigan communities offer the program with another 20 slated to join this summer.
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