Flint, Michigan – A pioneering project called Rx Kids is showing great advantages for Flint’s local families, changing the way the city supports new mothers and children. The program, a unique citywide cash prescription initiative for pregnant women and birthing individuals, was celebrated with a special event, “Diapers and Donuts,” which welcomed federal leaders to discuss its successes.
Starting in January 2024, Rx Kids has given over $3 million to about 1,000 families, achieving full enrollment of Flint’s newborns for the year. It offers a no-strings-attached financial boost of $1,500 throughout pregnancy and an extra $500 monthly during the first year, totaling a $6,000 benefit per newborn.
Read also: Flint’s Rx Kids program expands statewide, extended financial support for parents-to-be
Held at a local community center, the event was more than just a showcase; it was a strategic conversation including government representatives from the Administration for Children and Families and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Dr. Mona Hanna underlined the cooperation among several tiers of government and community organizations.
“This life-changing program, and its expansion, would have been impossible without the leadership of so many champions at the local, state, and national level,” she stated.
Read also: City of Flint and MVS Bar Association host estate planning event for local residents
A recent survey conducted by the Rx Kids research team at Hurley Medical Center provided the data spotlighted during today’s discussions. Mothers from Flint who took part in the program and those who did not were compared in the survey to gauge its impact. The findings were striking, showing the Rx Kids mothers had better mental health, housing security, and financial stability.
According to important survey results, 15.1% more Rx Kids mothers claimed to have enough food, in line with their desired preferences. In terms of housing, 19% more said they could pay their mortgage or rent in full; most importantly, none had experienced eviction since program enrollment. With 20% less Rx Kids mothers exhibiting symptoms of despair and a 22% rise in those expressing emotions of hopefulness, the program also clearly had a favorable effect on mother mental health.
Read also: Over 60,000 new waste carts to be distributed to Flint residents starting this fall
Co-director of Rx Kids and University of Michigan director of Poverty Solutions, Professor H. Luke Shaefer, expressed his excitement at these early findings.
“We’re seeing that Rx Kids is helping families pay the rent and put food on the table. New moms are reporting that the program improves their mental health and makes them feel loved and valued. It is helping families focus on the thing they care most about – caring for their beautiful babies,” Shaefer explained.
Apart from giving federal authorities a chance to personally observe the effects of the program, the “Diapers and Donuts” event prepared the ground for debates on how other communities the nation may copy such models. The extensive facts and first-hand experiences presented at the event show the possibilities of direct financial support to create better, more stable surroundings for most vulnerable groups, therefore opening the path for more general national debates on the support of new families.