November 10, 2025
At the heart of the mission of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is the belief that when families are supported, communities thrive. One of our primary pillars is childcare and family stability, and today, we are proud to announce our partnership with Rx Kids - the country’s first universal, unconditional cash-prescription program for pregnant individuals and infants - as they launch in Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County.
Why Rx Kids Matters
Launched initially in the city of Flint and now expanding to multiple Michigan communities, Rx Kids provides families with $1,500 during pregnancy (after 16–20 weeks) plus $500 per month during a baby’s first six or twelve months. The model is rooted in rigorous research: conditional cash support at the earliest stage of life has been shown to improve prenatal outcomes, birth weights, food security, housing stability, and maternal mental health.
In Ypsilanti, the program launches December 1, 2025, making all pregnant individuals and families with infants born December 1 or later eligible - regardless of income or other life factors. A local mom, Tavahna Paige, described the $500-per-month support as “a game-changer” for balancing work, parenting, and everyday expenses such as diapers, groceries, and childcare. On the importance of support for these expectant mothers, infants, and their families, Rx Kids Director Dr. Mona Hanna expressed, “As a pediatrician, I know and we all know that this is the most consequential time for children; what happens in this brief window shapes the entire life course. We know the data, and we know the science, that when we support families in this window, we see incredible outcomes.”
AAACF’s Grant & Our Role
AAACF is honored to be one of the philanthropic partners helping bring Rx Kids to Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County. Our recent grant supports local launch activities, outreach to eligible families, and collaborative infrastructure to ensure that every eligible parent hears about and can access the program. We view this as a natural extension of our commitment to childcare, family economic mobility, and equitable access to opportunity for all of Washtenaw County.
As AAACF President & CEO Shannon Polk said in her launch-day remarks:
“Investing early in families and children creates lasting impact. By providing unconditional income support to expectant and new parents, Rx Kids is doing something bold, compassionate, and transformative - meeting families where they are and giving them the resources they need to build stability, health, and hope.”
What This Means for Ypsilanti Families
- Eligible pregnant individuals (city of Ypsilanti residents) can enroll at RxKids.org beginning December 1, 2025, and will receive $1,500 during pregnancy + $500/month for their baby’s first six months.
- The funding is unconditional, meaning families can use it as they see fit - whether for prenatal care, diapers, formula, rent, childcare, or other needs.
- With AAACF’s support, outreach will focus especially on historically underserved families, helping reduce disparities in infant health, birth outcomes, and early childhood opportunity. Mayor Nicole Brown noted that Ypsilanti’s higher rates of low birthweight and infant mortality demand “urgent” action. She continued by stating, “Rx Kids is a program that says loud and clear that every family in Ypsilanti deserves a healthy start.”
Why Childcare + Family Economic Support is Essential
Our investment in childcare isn’t just about covering caregiver costs, it’s about strengthening the foundation families and children need to flourish. When expectant parents and new families have access to reliable support during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, financial stress lessens, creating a more stable home environment and positive early experiences.
Research shows that high-quality, stable early care benefits children socially, emotionally, and academically for years to come. Our grant to Rx Kids is a natural extension of our commitment to family stability on the heels of our first childcare impact investment in Apple PlaySchools, which provides young families with safe, educational, and attainable childcare.
Together, these efforts reflect a continuum of support, from the earliest days of life through the early learning years, designed to strengthen family well-being and community resilience across Washtenaw County.
Looking Ahead
We know that no single grant or organization can address all the needs facing families. It takes a community-coordinated effort among philanthropy, public health, healthcare systems, local government, business, and neighbors. Rx Kids represents that kind of partnership.
In the coming months, our community group efforts will include:
- Collaborating with Rx Kids’ local implementation team to host information sessions in Ypsilanti neighborhoods and trusted community spaces
- Partnering with early-childhood providers and childcare programs to ensure parents are aware of the new resource
- Tracking impact and sharing stories of families whose lives are touched by the program, because every child, every family matters
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Rx Kids to Ypsilanti and to support this bold initiative alongside our community. Together we’re choosing compassion, innovation, and collective action to build a future where all children in Washtenaw County have a fair start.
We invite families, service providers, neighbors, and donors to join us in spreading the word: if you live in the city of Ypsilanti and are pregnant or have a baby that will be born after December 1, 2025, explore how Rx Kids can support your family at https://rxkids.org/.
AAACF Announces its Partnership with Rx Kids
Check out the full press release about our partnership with Rx Kids HERE. To share this press release through your publication channels, please access any of the following:
HTML Version