DEARBORN, Mich. (Nov. 10, 2025) — Last week, the Wayne County Commission approved a $7.5 million contract with Michigan State University to expand the widely successful, evidence-based Rx Kids program to six Wayne County cities. Rx Kids is the nation’s first community-wide, no-strings-attached prenatal and infant cash prescription program that has been linked to lower poverty rates and improved health outcomes. Due to its success, Michigan Senate Democrats worked to secure a historic $270 million investment in this year’s state budget to expand the program to several communities across the state.
Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) has been a longstanding advocate for Rx Kids, championing legislation and budget investments to expand the program statewide. In response to Wayne County’s recent expansion of the program, including to Dearborn in her district, Sen. Santana has released the following statement:
“The costs of raising a family continue to rise, making it increasingly difficult to afford even the essentials. It’s our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure that Michigan families have the resources they need to raise healthy, thriving kids, and programs like Rx Kids help us achieve just that. That’s why I’m especially proud and excited to see Rx Kids launch right here in my district. We’ve already seen how transformative this program can be for the health, financial stability, and overall well-being of families across Michigan. Now, moms and babies in Wayne County will directly benefit from this evidence-based support.”
If you are currently pregnant or a new parent, learn more about qualifications and how to apply for Rx Kids here.