Detroit's first woman mayor, Mary Sheffield, is putting her youngest residents first with the launch of Rx Kids — the nation's first prenatal and infant cash program. Expectant mothers who are at least 16 weeks along and live in Detroit are eligible to receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for 6 to 12 months after giving birth.

"As mayor, my job is to deliver real solutions for Detroit families, and babies are a proven, smart investment," Sheffield wrote in an op-ed for the Detroit Free Press announcing the program. "Because when babies thrive, cities thrive too."

With approximately 8,000 babies born in Detroit each year, Rx Kids is reaching families at scale and positioning the city as one of the most baby-friendly in the nation. The program was created by Dr. Mona Hanna, a pediatrician at Michigan State University who was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of USA Today's Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis. Rx Kids provides direct payments during one of the most financially challenging periods for families and a critical window for child development, helping them afford baby supplies, food, housing, childcare, and transportation.

"Rx Kids is literally an effort to prescribe away poverty. Poverty is a pathogen," Hanna told BET. "Poverty makes people sick. So we call it a prescription for health, hope, and opportunity. We are preventing economic instability during this critical window so that we can improve health. It's all about making sure that we have the healthiest kids possible."

The program receives bipartisan support and is financed through a mix of public and private sources, protecting it against budget cuts. A $270 million investment from the state of Michigan fueled its expansion to Detroit and other cities. Additional funding comes from GiveDirectly, an international organization recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative nonprofits of 2026.

Red tape is often a barrier when applying for government assistance, but each of the mothers BET spoke with said the Rx Kids process was straightforward. Rakiah Reives, one of the first Detroit moms to receive Rx Kids payments, said the application took about 30 minutes to complete.

"The most wonderful part about it is they don't ask harsh questions and they don't get into your business," the married mother of 6 told BET.

There are no income requirements. Families provide proof of identity, pregnancy, and residency. Reives received her first payment the same day she attended the Detroit launch ceremony on February 9, 2026 — which came right on time, as the family's car needed repairs the next day.

Other participants say the program's timing has been equally crucial.

"We shouldn't even be having kids right now, the way inflation is and the world is. Everybody is scared. The fact that they offered this program to pregnant moms at this time, and they are taking the time to think about us, is beautiful," said Alexus Bodja, a stay-at-home mom who has two daughters and is pregnant with her first son.

Dazanik Smith-Taylor was considered high-risk and could not work during her pregnancy. She gave birth to twin girls on January 2, 2026, and will receive $500 per month for each. The mother of 6 told BET she was deeply moved to meet Dr. Hanna, Mayor Sheffield, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the launch event.

The program is also designed to protect families from any interruption of their SNAP or Medicaid benefits and is open to families of all income levels. "One of our favorite things about the program is that it's universal," said Hani Barghouthi, program associate at GiveDirectly. "When it launches in a new city, it is available to everyone who is pregnant or a new mom in that city."

Pastor Alonzo Bell, founder of Project Noah, a nonprofit serving young mothers, put the program's generational impact in plain terms. "You're propelling two generations out of poverty at the same time," he said.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed that sentiment in a recent New York Times op-ed: "Programs like these should be expanded to other states. If we want to strengthen families, this is where we start — by helping parents stay afloat when a child arrives."

Originally launched in Flint in 2024, Rx Kids has since expanded to more than 40 counties across Michigan. Detroit marks its largest expansion yet. As of April 16, 2026, 1,760 Detroit mothers and 1,039 Detroit babies are enrolled, with $2,753,000 in cash prescribed. Since 2024, 9,624 mothers statewide have enrolled with $33,336,500 distributed.

Families have full autonomy over how they use the funds.

"The financial support from Rx Kids has helped me pay rent, keep a roof over our heads, and provide basic needs for my baby," said Heaven, a single mother with a 6-month-old who is also currently pregnant. "As a single mother, programs like Rx Kids are not just helpful — they are essential. This support has allowed me to focus on my baby's well-being without constantly living in fear of financial collapse. I truly believe this program is making a real difference in families' lives, and I am deeply grateful for it."