Alarming setbacks for families across the country have overwhelmed our headlines. From loved ones getting torn apart by ICE to Medicaid cuts and anti-LBGTQ+ legislation, it has been hard to remain hopeful. But when communities come together to lift each other up, we see the transformative power of collective action.
Childcare That Will Change Lives
New Mexico, which ranks lowest in child well-being and education outcomes, announced they will expand their childcare assistance program to offer free childcare and preschool to every resident in the state. Using their robust oil and gas revenue, this policy will make an additional 12,000 children eligible for free childcare beginning on November first. With childcare costs rising to $13,000 a year and New Mexican families averaging an income of $64,000 annually, officials and lawmakers are hoping that removing this financial burden from parents allows families to escape poverty and guarantee brighter futures for their children. This is the first policy of its kind in the U.S., and sets a powerful precedent for other states to follow. New Mexico State Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says, “Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity. By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
Removing Barriers, One Policy at a Time
In May, Alabama and Missori joined 21 other states in eliminating sales tax on diapers. Young children require around 200 diapers a month, and one in two U.S. families struggle with diaper needs. This taxing elimination not only saves families money, but is also an important demonstration of how the government can and should support families. 25% of parents with diaper needs have to miss work because they don’t have enough diapers to send their children to childcare, losing an average $296 in wages each month and further exacerbating financial instability. When local governments create policies that support families, everybody benefits. Removing sales tax on diapers is an important start to making this essential item available for all parents, regardless of their income.
Investing in Families
Michigan State University recently launched the first U.S. community-wide unconditional cash transfer program for new families in Flint, Michigan. The program, Rx Kids, provides eligible expecting families with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 every month for the infant’s first year of life. Researchers at Michigan State found that this direct cash aid has lowered postpartum depression, stabilized housing for families, and improved infant outcomes. Flint has been a hub of local advocacy for children and families since officials switched Flint’s water supply without proper safeguards, exposing residents to toxic lead over a decade ago, and communities there have fought relentlessly to secure the resources every child deserves. By lifting families out of poverty before birth, Rx Kids is laying a foundation of stability that will strengthen generations to come.
This is what it looks like when we start acting—and it’s exactly why our work matters
At Mama2Mama, we’ve witnessed firsthand how impactful direct cash assistance is for families. We’ve distributed over $135,000 in no-strings-attached support to more than 100 families who are pregnant or recently postpartum. Families use this funding for diapers and other essential items, temporary housing, groceries, and more. When we remove barriers and trust families to make their own decisions, we’re not just providing aid—we’re affirming their dignity and power.
