Start-Up Guide
Start Rx Kids in Your Community or State.
A Bold Investment in Babies. A Ready-to-Launch Solution for You.
Rx Kids is the first program in the country to provide universal, unconditional cash prescriptions to all pregnant moms and babies in a community. Rooted in science, dignity, and equity, it is a plug-and-play model that’s already being replicated – and it can work in your city, county, or state.
It’s ready. It’s proven. It’s efficient. Now it’s your turn.
Why Rx Kids?
- Because we invest in roads and bridges – we must also invest in babies and families
- Because science shows that early cash improves health and opportunity for a lifetime
- Because parents are experts in their own lives
- Because poverty is a policy choice – and so is prevention
- Because the return on investment is enormous: better health, stronger families, and thriving communities
- Because this program is low overhead, high impact, and built to scale
What Makes Rx Kids Unique?
- Cash Delivered by GiveDirectly: Rx Kids partners with GiveDirectly – a global leader in direct cash programs. GiveDirectly ensures timely, secure, and efficient payments directly to families.
- Plug-and-Play: The core model is already built – including branding, enrollment systems, and communication tools. Enrollment and cash delivery systems ensure the highest standards of security, privacy, and program integrity.
- Efficient and Low Overhead: Cash is delivered quickly and directly to families with minimal administrative burden. A simple application. No eligibility hurdles. No strings attached.
- Backed by Data and Science: Our evaluation program measures impact on maternal and infant health, economic stability, and return on public investment.
Rx Kids Program Versions and Cost
There are two versions of the Rx Kids model that communities can implement, depending on funding availability and goals:
- Prenatal + 6 Months Version:
- $1,500 lump sum during pregnancy (16+ weeks)
- $500/month for 6 months after birth
- Total cost per family: $4,500
- Prenatal + 12 Months Version:
- $1,500 lump sum during pregnancy (16+ weeks)
- $500/month for 12 months after birth
- Total cost per family: $7,500
Both versions are universal, unconditional, and designed to reduce infant poverty and improve maternal and child health. Communities may choose based on available resources and desired impact.
How to Start Rx Kids
1. Define Your Geography and Estimate Cost
Start by defining the boundaries of your community or region for Rx Kids eligibility (e.g. city, county, tribal nation). Then, find out how many babies are born in that geography. Usually, this can be found on the website of your state department overseeing vital records. It is the official count from birth certificates. We recommend using birth counts from the most recent year available.
Then choose your program model:
- Prenatal + 6 Months: $4,500 per family (cost of the cash prescriptions)
- Prenatal + 12 Months: $7,500 per family (cost of the cash prescriptions)
Multiply the number of annual births by the per-family cost to set your initial funding goal. Note that these figures cover only the cost of the cash prescriptions. Additional program expenses – including outreach, operations, staffing, and evaluation – typically require an estimated 15% administrative rate on top of the total cash transfer amount.
Try It: Rx Kids Cost Calculator
Estimate your funding goal in seconds.
Step 1: Find out how many babies are born each year in your community.
Step 2: Choose your Rx Kids model.
| Program Version | Cost Per Family | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal + 6 Months | $4,500 | Births × $4,500 = Cash Prescription Cost |
| Prenatal + 12 Months | $7,500 | Births × $7,500 = Cash Prescription Cost |
Optional: Add ~15% for administrative and operational costs.
Example:
- 1,000 births × $4,500 = $4.5 million (6-month version)
- 1,000 births × $7,500 = $7.5 million (12-month version)
Rx Kids Cost Calculator
2. Secure Funding
With funds committed, Rx Kids can launch ANYWHERE in a matter of months.
Rx Kids funding can come from any source committed to giving babies and families a better start.
Current Rx Kids programs use a braided funding approach, combining:
- Public sources, including a novel use of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and other state or federal dollars
- Private support from philanthropy, local businesses, and health care systems
Interested in using TANF? Learn how to administer it in your state while protecting family benefits. Our model shows it’s possible to do this efficiently and at scale.
3. Build a Local Coalition
Gather multisector key stakeholders to help secure funds and generate excitement, including:
- Public health leaders
- Hospitals and health systems
- Philanthropy and business partners
- Community-based organizations
- Parents and families with lived experience
- Local and state policymakers
- Health Department and Human Services
4. Launch Rx Kids
After funding is secured, Rx Kids is ready to launch in a matter of months! You don’t have to wait to transform lives. With the Rx Kids model, your community can take bold, immediate action to support families right now.
5. Celebrate the Launch
Rx Kids is a movement – and every launch should be joyful and community-centered. Celebrate with local events like a baby parade, welcome packages for families, and media that lift up family stories, local leadership, and spreads the word to all expecting families.
Ready to Bring
Rx Kids Home?
Be part of a growing national movement to reimagine how we care for families.
Complete the Rx Kids Expansion Interest Form below to get started.
”Rx Kids is efficient. It’s dignified. It’s ready to go. Let’s make it the new normal.
Dr. Mona HannaRx Kids Founder