Flint’s Rx Kids program seeing positive results

FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - Thursday, Sept. 19, the city of Flint recognized the groundbreaking program Rx Kids, the nation's first program giving money to pregnant women and new moms to help support their baby's first year of life.

At Thursday's event, local leaders discussed the success of the program.

So far, over $3 million have been given to more than $1,000 families and Thursday TV5 got to learn more about the impact that money has had on the mothers and babies enrolled.

"I think people are seeing the impact this is having in Flint, people are excited about it," Jeff Hild, principal deputy assistant secretary of The Administration for Children and Families.

Rx Kids is now seeing positive results.

"Flint has inspired a nation around the concept of love, loving our babies, loving our families," said Sheldon Neeley, Flint's mayor.

Rx Kids is the first prescription of its kind. It gives new mothers cash to help with their baby's first year of life.

"When you look at the numbers, we've actually been able to enroll almost every single newborn in the program, which is amazing. Almost 100% of newborns that should be in Rx Kids are in Rx Kids," said Dr. Mona Hanna, the founder of Rx Kids.

New data came out Thursday showing moms enrolled in the program were 15% more likely to report they have enough kinds of foods they want, 19% more likely to say they were paid in full on their rent or mortgage, and 22% more likely to say they feel hopeful.

"They also are reporting less stress and less depression which we also know is pretty common in this maternal infant period," said Dr. Mona Hanna.

Now state and federal officials are looking to implement the program into other areas outside of Flint. Vice President Kamala Harris proposed a $6,000 tax credit for parents of newborns, which founder Dr. Mona Hanna says, is modeled after Rx Kids.

"We actually have to respond to requests everyday from communities that are like, 'We want to do Rx Kids in Ohio, and North Carolina, and Mississippi,'" she said.

"They want to know how some of our resources at the federal level can help support that," said Hild.

As the program and the babies enrolled continue to grow, there are hopes the impacts will too.

"For me, the real data points are going to come in five years when these kids are entering preschool and kindergarten, ready to learn and healthy. We're going to see it in 10 years when they're in middle school and we're going to see those test scores," Hild said.

"We just hope that we can continue to make sure that every baby is born, every baby that is born no matter where they are born, no matter the ZIP code, has the same chance at health and hope and opportunity," said Dr. Mona Hanna.

Right now, Rx Kids is only available in Flint and there are plans to launch it in Kalamazoo, the first place outside of the city starting next year.

Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, is also proposing a boost to the child tax credit. His proposal is for a $5,000 increase.

Right now, the child tax credit is $2,000 per child.