UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Michigan State University led program has made its way to the entire Upper Peninsula, offering cash prescriptions for expecting mothers and their families.
Once enrolled, the GiveDirectly administered program offers a one-time $1,500 payment during mid-pregnancy, and $500 per month over the baby’s first six months.
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, ‘Rx Kids‘ officially expanded these services to Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee and Ontonagon counties. At that time, a webinar was held to explain and express the programs growing impact, and by 9:30, about 13 new applications were already made.
Rx Kids Founding Director and Associate Dean for Public Health at MSU, Dr. Mona Hanna, says this profound time in a families life can be especially financially difficult.
“Babies need to be born into stable homes, ad this is absolutely helping,” she said. “It’s not just for food, diapers, or childcare, the flexibility of these funds allows people to meet their own needs.”
Through the programs existing offerings across five counties in the eastern U.P. over the last year, these benefits have already gone a long way.
“We’ve heard from many families that this program has helped them get to their prenatal appointments, allow both parents to take time off to spend with the new baby, and importantly, to relieve stress off the entire family,” explained Nick Derusha, director and health officer for Luce, Mackinac, Alger and Schoolcraft (LMAS) District Health Department.
Michigan representatives like 38th District Senator Ed McBroom have been working with the program’s expansion over the last year. He says with the number of department closures around the region, the simplicity of the program holds a major importance, as information can be accessed using a cell phone; taking only about 30 minutes to apply.
“This is so much simpler and more straight forward, really direct and to the point of what families need to get a good kick-off,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing it benefit all 15 counties of the U.P. and especially in areas that have lost vital services.”
For more information, visit the weekly updated Rx Kids dashboard, and to apply for the Rx Kids program, visit rxkids.org.
