Enrollment opens July 1 for residents in four Calhoun County communities
In partnership with Grace Health and the Battle Creek Community Foundation, Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program announced the launch in the cities of Albion, Battle Creek, Springfield, and Sheridan Township in Calhoun County. Beginning July 1, eligible families in these four communities will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first 6 months of a child’s life.
Rx Kids, the nation’s first-ever community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, is a place-based program designed to improve maternal and infant health of an entire population by addressing the economic hardship families face during pregnancy and infancy.
“Bringing Rx Kids to Albion, Battle Creek, Springfield, and Sheridan Township is exactly why this program exists, to ensure that families in communities with the greatest need have the support they deserve from the very start,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “Every mom and baby should have the opportunity for a healthy beginning, and this investment helps make that possible by reducing stress, improving access to care, and strengthening families when it matters most.”
In the cities of Albion, Battle Creek, Springfield, and Sheridan Township, where about 780 babies are born annually, Rx Kids will provide direct economic support to mothers, helping families cover essentials like diapers, formula, rent, and transportation to prenatal care. By reducing financial stress during pregnancy and infancy, the program supports healthier pregnancies and early childhood outcomes.
“When a mother makes the courageous choice to bring life into the world, it is critical she has a necessary support system,” said State Representative Steve Frisbie. “Programs like Rx Kids ensure Calhoun County families and their newborns receive the resources they need.”
A recent peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Public Health provides rigorous, population-level evidence that Rx Kids improves birth outcomes. The study found that in Flint, the program was associated with significant reductions in preterm birth and low birthweight, along with fewer admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Early research also reveals a narrowing of disparities in neonatal mortality. The findings demonstrate that direct support during pregnancy and infancy can lead to measurable improvements in maternal and infant health.
The program has also demonstrated improvements in family financial stability, reduced child welfare investigations, improved maternal mental health and meaningful economic benefits, with millions of dollars flowing directly into local businesses and communities.
“We are proud to serve as the Community Champion for Rx Kids in Calhoun County because investing in mothers and babies is an investment in our community’s future,” said Dr. Peter Chang, President/CEO, Grace Health. “By providing critical support at the earliest stages of life, this program helps build stronger families, improve health outcomes, and create lasting, positive change for generations to come.”
Rx Kids is led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly. Grace Health will serve as the local Community Champion, supporting outreach, engagement, and celebration. The Battle Creek Community Foundation will serve as the local fiduciary and welcomes contributions to ensure the sustainability of the program.
“We are thrilled to bring Rx Kids to Calhoun County,” said Mary Muliett, President and CEO, Battle Creek Community Foundation. “By investing directly in mothers and babies, we are strengthening families, improving health outcomes, and creating a foundation for every child to thrive from day one.”
The launch follows a previous announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer that this life-changing maternal and infant health program will roll out to an additional 20 communities this summer, bringing the total to more than 60 communities statewide, reaching over 23,000 births each year.
In the cities of Albion, Battle Creek, Springfield, and Sheridan Township, the initiative is made possible thanks to support from the State of Michigan, Albion Community Foundation, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation, BBCH Community Partners, Bronson Health System, Bronson Health Foundation, Duncan Aviation, Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, Miller Foundation, United Way of South Central Michigan, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, WK Kellogg Co/ Ferrero, and Worgess Insurance.
Eligible participants must be at least 16 weeks pregnant at enrollment, and newborns must be born on or after July 1, 2026. To learn more or enroll, visit RxKids.org.
