The State of Michigan recently committed $270 million to expand Rx Kids to additional Michigan communities over the next three years. That expansion now includes Ypsilanti.
The City of Ypsilanti, in partnership with Rx Kids, announced that the program will launch there on December 1, 2025. Families will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 a month during the baby’s first six months of life.
No conditions. No work requirements. No eligibility tests beyond residency and a confirmed pregnancy or newborn.
“Rx Kids is a bold investment in our families and our future,” said Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown. “We’re proud to bring this program to the City of Ypsilanti and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive from day one.”
RX Kids has been reshaping what maternal and infant support looks like in Michigan, rooted in the belief that every child deserves a healthy start and every parent deserves stability during those first, often overwhelming months. The program began in Flint in 2024 as part of the Michigan State University Pediatric Public Health Initiative led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
Flint was chosen with intention.
Families there had experienced years of crisis, health inequities, and economic strain. Rx Kids served as a direct response to the reality that families are often expected to navigate pregnancy and early childcare with limited resources and high expenses during one of the most critical developmental periods of life.
The model is straightforward: unconditional cash support.
“Across the state, we are already seeing the tremendous impact of Rx Kids—healthier moms, thriving babies, and families with a little more breathing room,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and associate dean for public health at Michigan State University.
Families in the Flint program received $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 a month for the first year of their child’s life. The program is not set up to monitor or dictate how families should spend the money. The purpose of the program is to give families breathing room — the ability to afford groceries, secure diapers and formula, maintain housing, pay for transportation, or simply cover the unexpected.
Over time, the results began to reflect a familiar truth long voiced by communities: when families have what they need, children thrive.
“This success is exactly why we’re so excited to bring the program to the City of Ypsilanti and many more communities across the state,” said Dr. Mona. “Every baby deserves a strong start, and every family deserves the support to make that possible.”
More than 3,800 families in Flint have received support, totaling about $16 million. The stories coming from parents reflected reduced stress, healthier pregnancies, and a stronger start for newborns. The program’s measurable outcomes and lived experiences helped advance a statewide conversation about maternal and infant health, economic security, and public responsibility.
“Right now, starting a family is more expensive than ever, which is why the Rx Kids program is such a game-changer — helping new parents afford groceries, rent, and all the supplies it takes to care for their baby,” said State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor). “Both the data and stories from those who’ve benefited from the program firsthand show us this program truly works, and works well, which is why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I were proud to secure funds in past budget cycles for its expansion.”
“This means a lot to me,” said Representative Jimmie Wilson Jr. “Ypsilanti is my hometown, and I’m proud to help bring Rx Kids to the families I serve. This program is more than policy—it’s a commitment to equity, dignity, and opportunity for every child and every parent in our community.”
Rx Kids is a program of the Michigan State University Pediatric Public Health Initiative, in collaboration with Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, and administered by GiveDirectly. The expansion to Ypsilanti is made possible through the support of the State of Michigan, the City of Ypsilanti, Song Foundation, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and Old National Bank.
“Rx Kids is a powerful example of what’s possible when the public and private sectors come together to meet urgent community needs,” said Linh Song of The Song Foundation. “Local philanthropy has stepped up as a steady, values-driven partner—one that isn’t swayed by political cycles or budget battles. No matter the moment, philanthropy can and should remain committed to the long game: supporting families, strengthening communities, and investing in the future.”
Enrollment opens December 1, 2025, for pregnant women and families with infants born on or after that date who reside in the City of Ypsilanti.
For more information and to apply, visit RxKids.org.
