New support program for expectant mothers and infants opens July 1

Health

Jun 23

Written By Staff

In partnership with First Steps Kent and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program announced the launch in zip code 49507 in Kent County. Beginning July 1, eligible families in Kent County 49507 will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for the first 6 months of a child’s life.

Enrollment will open at 9 am on July 1, 2026. Eligible participants must be at least 16 weeks pregnant at enrollment, and newborns must be born on or after July 1, 2026.

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.

“We’re proud to partner with so many incredible Kent County leaders and community organizations to expand Rx Kids to 49507,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, Director of Rx Kids and Associate Dean of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “By investing in moms during pregnancy and infancy, we’re improving health outcomes, reducing stress, and helping babies get the healthiest possible start in life.”

For the approximately 640 annual births in Kent County, 49507, 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.

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). 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.

Rx Kids is led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly. First Steps Kent will serve as the local Community Champion, supporting outreach, engagement, and celebration. The Grand Rapids Community Foundation will serve as the local fiduciary and welcomes contributions to help ensure the program's sustainability.

“As your community champion, First Steps Kent is excited to bring Rx Kids to our community,” said Jennifer Headley-Nordman, President of First Steps Kent. “Supporting mothers from the very beginning can have a powerful impact on family stress and long-term outcomes for children. When families have the resources they need during pregnancy and early infancy, it creates a stronger, more stable foundation for everything that follows. We’re proud to extend this program to mothers in the 49507 community and to walk alongside families during such an important time.”

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.

This initiative is made possible thanks to support from the State of Michigan, Amway, City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Jandernoa Foundation, KRW Foundation, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation, Steelcase Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Wege Foundation. To learn more, visit RxKids.org.

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