Enrollment opens August 3 for eligible families in eight new Genesee County communities; expanding Rx Kids to over 60 Michigan communities
Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program announced the August launch in the cities of Burton, Clio, Montrose, Mount Morris and the charter townships of Flint, Genesee, Montrose, and Mount Morris. Eligible families in these eight communities will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first 6 months of a child’s life.
Rx Kids is a proven maternal and infant health program, providing direct cash support during pregnancy and early infancy, which is one of the most financially challenging and developmentally critical periods for families.
Originally launched in the city of Flint in 2024, the program has already supported thousands of families in Genesee County. With this expansion, the program will now serve families in nine Genesee County communities, reaching approximately 2,200 births annually and effectively doubling its previous reach in the county.
“When we worked to secure the initial state investment to launch Rx Kids in Flint, we believed it could change lives,” said State Sen. John Cherry. “Today, we know it does. The success of the Flint pilot is helping bring this support to more families across Genesee County, giving more babies the healthy start they deserve and helping parents focus on what matters most during those first critical months. That’s an investment in our children, our families, and the future of our communities.”
The results seen in Flint are demonstrating what is possible when families receive support during this critical time. 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 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. Together, these outcomes show that investing in families during pregnancy and infancy can improve health, strengthen economic stability and help entire communities thrive.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact Rx Kids has had in the city of Flint, and we’re excited to bring that same support to more families across Genesee County,” said Dale Weighill, Genessee County Commissioner. “While the city has some of the highest need, many communities just outside Flint are also facing real economic hardship. Expanding Rx Kids is a smart investment that will directly supporting families and deliver strong economic returns that will benefit the entire county.”
Since launching in Flint, Rx Kids has expanded across the state of Michigan, bringing the program to 62 Michigan communities.T o date, the program has reached more than 14,000 families with nearly $50 million in direct support during pregnancy and infancy. The program also recently announced plans to launch in parts of Cleveland, Ohio in fall 2026, marking its first launch outside Michigan.
“Rx Kids started right here in Flint, and we’ve seen firsthand how direct support during pregnancy and infancy can improve health, reduce stress and give families a stronger start,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “Now we’re building on that success and bringing this proven approach to thousands more families across Genesee County, in Michigan, and across the nation, ensuring even more moms and babies have the resources they need during the most critical time in a child’s development.”
Rx Kids is led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly. The Greater Flint Health Coalition will continue to serve as the local Community Champion, expanding their support for outreach, engagement, and celebration in all nine communities in Genesee County.
“At Greater Flint Health Coalition, we’ve seen firsthand how Rx Kids has improved maternal and infant health outcomes in the city of Flint,” said Jim Ananich, President and CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition. “We hear regularly from families on how this small support during pregnancy and infancy can change their family’s trajectory. We are excited to continue to serve as Community Champion in the city of Flint and expand to additional communities later this summer, bringing this proven, effective program to more moms and babies in Genesee County.”
Rx Kids is funded as a public private partnership. In the cities of Burton, Clio, Montrose, Mount Morris and the charter townships of Flint, Genesee, Montrose, and Mount Morris, the initiative is made possible thanks to support from the State of Michigan, Genesee County Board of Commissioners, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, and United Way of Genesee County.
Enrollment for these Genesee County communities opens on August 3, 2026 at 9am. Eligible participants must be at least 16 weeks pregnant at enrollment, and newborns must be born on or after August 1, 2026, applicants must demonstrate residency in cities of Burton, Clio, Montrose, Mount Morris or the charter townships of Flint, Genesee, Montrose, and Mount Morris. Beecher residents are eligible for Rx Kids through their residence within Genesee Township and Mount Morris Township. To learn more or enroll, visit RxKids.org.
