JACKSON, MI — Parents in Jackson and Blackman Township could receive cash payments to help make ends meet during pregnancy and after their babies are born.
The Jackson City Council unanimously approved contributing $15,000 annually for three years to support Rx Kids on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The program, presented to the council by the Jackson Community Foundation, provides support of $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for babies during their first six to 12 months of life for families living in Jackson and Blackman Township, regardless of income.
“Having a baby is the single most impactful moment in your life, I’ve had children, many of you have had children, it’s stressful, and this support lowers that stress,” said Monica Moser, Jackson Community Foundation president and CEO.
The program initially launched in Flint by Dr. Mona Hanna as a first-of-its-kind cash prescription program for mothers and babies. In January, the program encouraged cities, health departments and nonprofits to apply to bring Rx Kids to their areas.
To launch the program in Jackson and Blackman Township, the nonprofit must raise $313,335 annually for three years to leverage around $2.5 million in state funding each year, she said.
The foundation has received support from Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Consumers Energy Foundation and Dawn Foods, and is hoping the city and Blackman Township will fill the remaining gap, she said.
The reason the city of Jackson and Blackman Township were prioritized is because data show both have high household poverty rates, she said. According to the U.S. Census, the city of Jackson has a poverty rate of 24.6%, compared to 34.1% in Flint.
According to the presentation, the infant mortality rate in Jackson County is 7.5 per 1,000 live births for 2021-2023. Black infants in Jackson County are also three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white infants, she said.
Moser said she will approach Blackman Township for support at their next board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The foundation hopes to implement the program in April, and will work with the Center for Family Health, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, the Jackson County Health Department and local physicians to spread word about the program.
Ward 5 Councilmember Shalanda Hunt asked if fathers who have custody of the child could receive the benefits as well, which Moser said she was unsure about, but would verify.
The program has reached thousands of families throughout Michigan since its launch in 2024.
“The whole idea is these are our residents, these babies,” Moser said. “We want to welcome them into our community. We want to get them off to a good start.”
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