For the first time since its launch, Rx Kids is releasing survey results that span 17 participating communities across Michigan, offering the most comprehensive look yet at how the nation’s first community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program is improving family stability, health, and well-being.
The newly released participant survey—conducted by Rx Kids administrator GiveDirectly in November 2025—captures experiences from families in urban and rural communities across the state, including:
- City of Flint
- City of Kalamazoo
- 5 counties in the Eastern Upper Peninsula (Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft, and Chippewa Counties)
- Clare County
- Communities in Oakland County: Cities of Pontiac, Hazel Park, Royal Oak Township
- Communities in Wayne County: Cities of Dearborn, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, Hamtramck, River Rouge
Together, these results confirm what earlier Rx Kids surveys, extensive global and domestic evidence, and rigorous Rx Kids research have consistently shown: direct, unconditional cash support during pregnancy and early infancy strengthens family financial security, improves access to health care, and supports healthier starts for babies.
In just two years, Rx Kids has delivered more than $20 million in cash prescriptions to over 5,000 families, supporting families during pregnancy and early childhood—one of the most financially vulnerable periods of life. Rx Kids is a program led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly, the program’s cash administrator, conducts voluntary participant surveys every six months. The November 2025 survey included 924 respondents across 17 communities, with a 43% response rate, providing robust insight into how families use the cash prescriptions and the measurable effects on financial stability, health, and well-being.
Key Findings
Financial Stability:
- 84% of moms say that Rx Kids helps them make ends meet financially
- Consistent with past findings, Rx Kids moms were most likely to spend their cash prescriptions on baby supplies, followed by food, rent, and utilities
- Within the category of baby supplies, moms were most likely to spend their cash prescriptions on changing supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) followed by feeding supplies (bottles, formula, etc), clothes, baby food, and baby furniture.
- 70% of moms said Rx Kids helped them take time off to care for their family
- Of the 50% of moms who experienced an unexpected financial shock after enrolling in Rx Kids (most common being car related), 83% used Rx Kids cash prescriptions to mitigate the shock
- Of those who got a higher-paying job or started a business, over 30% said the support from Rx Kids helped them do so.
- 27% of Rx Kids moms are in school, job training, or getting their GED.
Health:
- Participants report that 97% of infants had attended at least one pediatric appointment, and over 60% had attended at least three
- Participants report that 89% of moms had been to at least one prenatal care appointment in the last three months, and 76% had attended at least three
- 68% said that Rx Kids improved the health of them and their baby
- 64% of moms said that Rx Kids helped them get the healthcare they needed
Mental Health, Empowerment, and Well-being:
- 82% of moms said that Rx Kids helped them feel more confident in caring for their child
- Nearly 60% said Rx Kids had a positive impact on their mental health
Moms shared thousands of open-ended reflections on how Rx Kids affected their lives—highlighting reduced stress, improved stability and health, and increased confidence in parenting.
Mom Voices
In addition to survey data, moms shared thousands of open-ended reflections on how Rx Kids affected their lives—highlighting reduced stress, improved stability and health, and increased confidence in parenting.
“Thank you for thinking about new parents. This program gives some of us the financial freedom to be present parents. I get to nurture, care for, and love her because I’m not stressed about how we are going to afford our needs.” – Flint Mom
“THANK YOU so much. Welcoming a new baby is a joy, and having some extra money to get us started with our little guy was so helpful. I have told pregnant friends about the program, and we all agree it is such an incredible gift. I think moms in need can make the decision to keep their baby with this help, and it’s such a great program.” – Eastern U.P. Mom
“The program helped me to get the things I needed to move out of the shelter and into a new home.. Thank you!” – Pontiac Mom
“I would say that it takes a big heart and a helpful soul to want to uplift people in this way. The unwavering help is just astonishing. And the financial burden that y’all help to diminish for families is unmatched by anything I’ve ever seen.. When I first heard of this program I immediately thought what’s the catch? Just because that’s how the world has hardened me. But to just help people takes love and patience and dedication and I just want to say with my whole heart thank you so much truly.” – Eastern U.P. Mom
“The financial support that Rx Kids has supplied has been incredible for my family. It has caused such a peace of mind and optimism about growing our family. Also I feel supported and valued as a woman and a mother. I was honestly shocked and in disbelief when I heard about the program. It seemed too good to be true and I was waiting to hear what strings were attached. The fact that it is fully free support from the government and other organizations is amazing. I then anticipated it would have bad communication or unclear expectations or really delayed payments. I anticipated having many issues. But it has been a great experience. Simple, clear, and such a blessing!” – Kalamazoo Mom
“Sometimes people need a little boost to help them get to the next level. This will give me the boost I need, right on time.” – Wayne County Mom
“I was working overtime throughout the pregnancy and now while eight months pregnant and stressing over maternity leave and when I have to go back to work ASAP. I am now able to put money aside, pay my bills, and take a step back from working overtime. I’m extremely grateful knowing I will have extra cash because I will not be receiving any benefits from work while on maternity leave. This will help my physical and mental health.” – Dearborn Mom
“There’s so many people capable of helping others that look away as if needing help makes you not human. When people show you that they remember we’re all brothers and sisters through Christ by seeing each other, hearing each other, and helping each other, the world can be a better place with people like that in power.”– Pontiac Mom
“Rx Kids has lifted some of the financial burden that having young children comes with. To decrease the amount of stress for overall financial well-being is absolutely a game changer for our family. Not only does it help with traditional costs of having small children, but our daughter was born with special needs, and the braces and specialist appointments are absolutely overwhelming in cost. Thank you for making this manageable and accessible for my family.” – Kalamazoo Mom
“Your generosity is kind. Expand this program. Let moms bond with their babies. That’s the best thing for these kids. My baby is happy because he gets love and attention without me having to sacrifice bonding to overwork myself. Help make this program possible for moms or direct caregivers to take the first six months to a year off of work by helping bridge the financial gaps and creating community programs that help moms stay afloat and not feel alone.” – Pontiac Mom
“Thank you for what you do! After having two babies, I have found how little our country supports mothers. It’s very nice to finally see people showing moms care during this wildly beautiful time in their lives.” – Oakland County Mom
“I would say, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I ended up with postpartum preeclampsia after having my daughter and I could not return to work for a while and it really helped to be able to pay for some things. God bless you all” – Eastern U.P. Mom
Rx Kids has delivered more than $20 million in cash prescriptions to over 5,000 families.
Rx Kids will continue to administer the Rx Kids participant survey every six months, allowing for ongoing monitoring of program impact over time. Future survey releases will include insights from these existing 17 communities as well as additional communities that have recently launched or will be launching Rx Kids in the coming months, further strengthening the evidence base across diverse geographies and populations.
A summary of findings from this survey, along with results from prior surveys and ongoing Rx Kids research, is available on the program’s Impact page at rxkids.org/impact.
