Tina Edmonds, Rx Kids Community Champion, posing in front of a tabling display of the program
In the morning, Tina Edmonds makes her rounds, visiting families across Lake County.
As a registered nurse and case manager for the Maternal Infant Health Program at the District 10 Health Department in Lake County, Michigan, her job is to provide growth and developmental screenings for babies, weigh and measure infants, and support families with newborns. She screens moms for stress, depression, and domestic violence, helping to connect families with resources and support available in the community. Then she returns to the office for charting and follow-up.
“I enjoy home visiting and seeing families in their own space,” said Tina. “It really gives you a different perspective on what challenges they face. I also enjoy seeing pregnant women and then their newborn babies. What is better than a healthy newborn baby?”
Lake County is a rural community in the northwest of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, which sees only about 90 births per year. The District 10 Health Department serves the county, which faces many of the same challenges found in rural areas across the state, including transportation barriers and financial strain on growing families.
When Tina learned Rx Kids was launching in Lake County, she was excited about the opportunity it would create for local families.
District Health Department 10 serves as the local Community Champion for Rx Kids, helping lead outreach, engagement, and celebration for families. For Tina, this has meant she has a new resource to bring to families she serves, one that is having a tremendous impact.
“Every single day that I can help somebody get signed up for the program so they can get their cash prescription is awesome,” said Tina. “Money is a big stressor, so having extra income takes a weight off moms’ shoulders. They think it’s too good to be true until the money comes through.”
Since Rx Kids launched in Lake County on January 1, 2026, Tina has heard firsthand how families are using this direct support to improve their lives. The majority of moms she works with use their cash prescriptions to buy items for their baby, get caught up on bills, and pay rent to maintain a stable home for them and their growing family.
“We had a mom buy a car with her $1,500 when she was pregnant,” said Tina. “Another one bought some tires for her car. Some of them don’t have any income whatsoever, so getting that $1,500 and then the $500 a month is just great for them.”
Having reliable transportation is essential for people living in rural communities, directly affecting their ability to access health services, nutritious foods, and social support systems. Residents in these areas often have to travel twice the distance to receive medical care, placing them under financial strain.
Tina’s understanding of what moms spend their Rx Kids dollars on aligns with what Rx Kids hears from moms across Michigan. Parents report using funds primarily for baby supplies, but also rent, utilities, and transportation – all of which contribute to giving an infant and a family a healthy start.
For many families, the impact goes beyond finances.
When asked how Rx Kids has affected their health, confidence, finances, and overall well-being, Lake County moms shared heartfelt reflections on what the support has meant during pregnancy and early parenthood.
“This will allow me to keep my head above water while welcoming my baby to our family. We are still working our way out of a mountain of debt, and this will keep us from going back under.” – Lake County mom
“Thank you for helping with life and making it a little easier.” – Lake County mom
Tina has also seen how Rx Kids is strengthening the work happening through other health department programs. Before Rx Kids, she often spent a lot of time reaching out to community partners to coordinate baby supplies for her home visits. Now, moms can choose the items they think are best for their baby rather than having someone else pick out clothes or blankets.
The program has also increased engagement with other maternal and infant health services, including MIHP and WIC, creating additional touchpoints between families and the support systems available in the community.
For Tina, Rx Kids’ impact shows up in her daily interactions with moms, including moms with less stress, and in healthier babies who meet their developmental milestones.
“It has given me so much joy to tell families about the Rx Kids program and to see the smiles and hope that it brings. What I really enjoy is seeing the families later on after discharge and how much they have grown together.”
