HANCOCK — The nation’s first community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids, is now available to families in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Beginning in March 2026, expectant parents can apply to receive $1,500 during pregnancy, followed by $500 in monthly payments throughout their child’s first six months of life.

Originally launched in Flint in 2024, Rx Kids is led by Michigan State University and GiveDirectly and combines innovative research with proven direct-cash support models. The program has expanded across Michigan and now includes all communities throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Interest in Rx Kids is already building momentum, with 121 families already enrolled in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties, totaling $189,000 in cash prescriptions as of April 9, 2026.

Of the program’s total cost in the UP, the majority of funding was allocated by a bipartisan agreement through the Michigan Legislature, with the remainder covered by public-private partnerships. In Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Keweenaw Community Foundation contributed a combined $150,000 in funding to expand Rx Kids to our region, ensuring access for more local families.

“Keweenaw Community Foundation’s sponsorship is made possible through our Community Impact Fund,” said Robin Meneguzzo, CEO of the Keweenaw Community Foundation. “We’re grateful to the donors who support this fund and make it possible for us to respond quickly and invest in our community where it matters most.”

Program Benefits and Impact
A maternal-infant health program, Rx Kids aims to ease financial pressures at a critical time for families welcoming a newborn, providing the stability and confidence needed to grow and participate more fully in our local communities.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of these foundations,” said Pete Baril, Health Officer of the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. “Rx Kids is a powerful public health intervention offering flexibility to families at a critical time in their lives. Typical supportive programs target specifics such as nutrition or access to care. Rx Kids offers flexibility when life is most complicated, allowing parents to prioritize resources to meet their unique needs, leading to healthier, stronger families.”

Counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are experiencing population decline, and the Keweenaw is no exception. Programs like Rx Kids can ease some of the stress around decisions about having children–potentially helping to reverse aging population trends.

“Pregnancy and postpartum are metabolically expensive events, with some research suggesting that pregnancy has similar energetic demands to endurance athletes,” said Meghan Jaszczak, Community Health Educator at Copper Shores. “Without proper support, the stressors of everyday life can take a toll on a mother’s health and well-being during this critical and vulnerable time. By providing financial support, this program creates the much-needed space for families to prioritize their own health and well-being during this special chapter in their lives.”

Research, including this study by the National Institutes of Health, has shown that cash transfer programs for families with children are associated with improved maternal and infant health outcomes. For rural regions with more limited access to maternal and infant care, measurable improvements like these can be especially significant.

“As a provider, I’ve encouraged my patients to apply–especially those who might need specialty care for themselves or their infants,” said Christiann Rosemurgy, CNM, WHNP-BC, local certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. “Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs add up quickly. For many, that means letting something else important go. This program helps more people avoid having to pick and choose.”

Programs like Rx Kids can also directly strengthen our region’s economic growth. When families purchase essentials like food, housing, childcare and transportation, those dollars are largely spent within their local community.

“The application was thorough, but overall easy to complete once I had the required information showing proof of pregnancy and residency,” said Olivia Frantti, Houghton County resident. Olivia and her husband are expecting their third child. “I’m a dialysis nurse working on a part-time basis, so the payments will help cover that gap in income that I would have experienced from not being able to go back to work right away.”

Who is Eligible and How to Apply
To be eligible for the program in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties, families must either be expecting (at least 16 weeks pregnant) or have a baby born on or after March 1, 2026, and reside in one of the eligible counties.

In other counties across the UP, the eligibility date may be earlier. Families can check their county’s eligibility date and apply at RxKids.org.