Pregnancy is a life-changing event that can be accompanied by heightened levels of financial stress, which can be detrimental to the mother and child’s well-being. A new initiative in the Capital Region looks to fill the voids by way of monthly checks.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region announced the launch of Jubilant Birth Albany on Monday.

“We know this works. We have a lot of evidence this works,” said United Way President and CEO Peter Gannon.

The one-year community-driven pilot program will provide $1,000 a month to 25 pregnant women in their second trimester who are living in Albany County and earning an income that is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

“This assistance is intended to ease those financial burdens associated with pregnancy and early parenting,” Gannon said, “with the goal of lowering stress and improving the health outcomes for all members of that family experiencing that birth.”

Data from Albany County indicates disparities in birth outcomes, with Black mothers experiencing higher rates of preterm births and infant mortality compared to their white counterparts.

“If we learned nothing else from this recent national election, affordability is something we’re hearing,” said Albany state Senator-elect Pat Fahy. “Affordability matters. Affordability is causing a bit of a crisis and fueling the divide.”

The program is sponsored by several entities, including Albany County and BirthNet, an organization that specializes in prenatal, birthing and postnatal support services.

The application process will be available soon and organizers say the first checks will be cut in March.

“I hope this is a program that is such a success that we have to add more to it,” said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy.