Indianapolis aiming to expand cash payment program for low-income moms

The big picture: The program launched last year with $3 million in philanthropic support, enrolling 150 people to begin receiving cash payments to support them throughout the second half of pregnancy and into the beginning of their child's life.

• The goal is to reduce infant mortality and improve health, education and economic outcomes for the entire family, says Ben Tapper, the City of Indianapolis' chief diversity and equity officer.

How it works: Modeled after a national program called The Bridge Project, it provides monthly payments through the first three years of a baby's life totaling around $20,000.

• Indianapolis opened the BIRTH Fund to expectant mothers with household incomes of $39,000 or less living in zip codes with the city's highest infant mortality rates.

What's next: Tapper says the city has applied for a new grant to begin another BIRTH Fund cohort with plans to add another 50 families.

• During budget presentations this week, Tapper said most of the babies from the first cohort have been born and early data collection has begun.