NOTE: The Office of the Governor shared the following press release:
ANNAPOLIS — Governor Wes Moore announced a new partnership with the Bridge Project, a philanthropically funded direct cash assistance program for low-income mothers. Marked by the official launch of the application portal, the program will support 150 new mothers in three designated ENOUGH communities — Hagerstown, Park Heights, and Cherry Hill.
The launch marks a continuation of the Moore-Miller administration’s continued commitment to supporting cross-sector partnerships that deliver results in communities that have suffered from chronic and generational poverty.
“When I ran for governor, I committed to launching the most aggressive, all-out assault on child poverty this state has ever seen,” said Gov. Moore. “Through our ENOUGH Initiative and our partnership with the Bridge Project, we are turning that commitment into action. At a moment when Washington is failing to address rising costs and ripping away health care, and at a moment when Washington is telling mothers and their children that they’re on their own – Maryland is not just pushing back, but pushing forward for working families.”
The Bridge Project is the first multi-state direct cash program for moms and babies in the United States. It provides low-income mothers with direct financial assistance on a biweekly basis during pregnancy, birth, and the earliest years of their children’s lives to support healthy development, avoid adverse childhood experiences, and give every baby a fair start. To date, Bridge has supported over 3,900 mothers and their babies and is a proven driver of long-term economic mobility for mothers and their families in communities around the country.
“Welcoming a child is a moment of joy, but for many Marylanders, starting or growing a family can come with economic challenges that impact long-term health and stability,” said Governor’s Office for Children Special Secretary Carmel Martin. “Providing new parents with cash that they can use for everyday needs like groceries, rent, and baby supplies is proven to promote long-term economic mobility and lead to improvements in overall health, stress levels, academic success, and adult earnings. Maryland is proud to partner with the Bridge Project to kick this program off in three ENOUGH communities, neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty that are investing in community-driven strategies to end childhood poverty.”
The Bridge Project’s three inaugural communities in Maryland are part of the Governor’s Office for Children’s ENOUGH Initiative that works to end childhood poverty by investing in community-driven solutions in neighborhoods that have high concentrations of poverty. The ENOUGH initiative currently supports 27 community-led organizations across 12 counties, representing rural, suburban and urban areas in the state that have been disproportionately impacted by barriers to economic mobility. Following the program’s launch in the inaugural communities, the Bridge Project aims to expand to additional Maryland communities in the future.
“I was thrilled to celebrate the Bridge Project, which will provide targeted, transformative financial support to mothers right here in Baltimore,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “As the Senator for the 46th District and a former educator, I have seen firsthand how poverty can stand in the way of opportunity for our children and families. This initiative will deliver meaningful support to some of our highest need neighbors and help give more Baltimore families the stability and resources they deserve.”
Fully funded by a $3.2 million private philanthropic coalition—including commitments from the Monarch Foundation, the estate through Brighton Jones, and anonymous donors—the Bridge Project uses a “cash plus community” model, combining immediate financial relief with the relationships and resources that support long-term health and stability.
Direct financial relief will total approximately $20,000 per family over a period of three years and is staggered as follows: $1,125 prenatal stipend to support additional expenses associated with birth; $750/month for the first 15 months of life; and $375/month for the following 21 months.
In addition to offering cash support, Bridge will help participants access additional benefits such as WIC and SNAP, doula services, and medical care; ongoing services provided by local and national providers and organizations; and virtual counseling with experts and peer spaces where mothers can connect with one another.
The Moore-Miller administration continues to support public-private partnerships in addition to state initiatives that make life more affordable for Maryland families and help to eradicate child poverty. The state currently provides 12 months of postpartum care for those on Medicaid, continues to invest in local partnerships like B’More for Babies in Baltimore, and deliver on initiatives like Maryland SUN Bucks. The Governor’s Office for Children has also recently launched a new resource guide and website for new parents, making access to benefits like health care, food assistance, and child care easy for Maryland families.
“We believe our partnership with Maryland will show that public leadership and private innovation pull in the same direction, we can prove what’s possible at scale,” said Bridge Project Executive Director Suzanna Fritzberg. “We are demonstrating that child poverty does not need to remain an intractable problem, but is actually a solvable problem in our lifetime when political will meets proven solutions.”
To be eligible for the program, mothers must live in Cherry Hill, Hagerstown, or Park Heights; be Medicaid eligible; have a household income of less than $39,000 annually (150% of the federal poverty line for a family of three); and be 27 or fewer weeks pregnant. Applications will remain open until all program slots have been filled and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible program participants will be selected by lottery.
Applications to be a participant in the Bridge Project in Hagerstown (Washington County), Park Heights (Baltimore City), or Cherry Hill (Baltimore City) are now available online at www.bridgeproject.org/apply.