DETROIT, MI — June 4, 2026 — United Way for Southeastern Michigan has officially assumed the role of Regional Ambassador for Rx Kids across parts of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. In this role, the organization will help expand awareness and community engagement for the groundbreaking maternal and infant health program designed to strengthen families during pregnancy and infancy.
Rx Kids, launched in Flint in 2024, is the nation’s first prenatal and infant cash prescription program. The initiative provides direct financial support to eligible families during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first year or first six months of life, depending on the model in participating communities.
Led by Michigan State University’s Pediatric Public Health Initiative and administered by GiveDirectly, Rx Kids provides eligible families with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly payments after birth to help reduce financial stress during one of the most critical periods in a child’s development.
As Regional Ambassador, United Way for Southeastern Michigan will work alongside community champions, healthcare providers, nonprofits, policymakers and local stakeholders to increase awareness of Rx Kids. They will also connect eligible families to the program and support community engagement efforts throughout Southeast Michigan. Additionally, they will also serve as a regional fiduciary partner, helping coordinate fundraising and long-term sustainability efforts.
The State of Michigan has committed $250 million over three years to expand Rx Kids through a public-private partnership model to bring the program to more communities statewide.
“We are excited to support this innovative effort and help connect more families across our region to the opportunities Rx Kids provides,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “As a mother and former educator, I know how important those earliest years are in the life of a child. Families should be able to focus on bonding with and caring for their babies instead of worrying about how they will afford basic necessities.”
Hudson said the initiative aligns closely with United Way’s core work helping families move from crisis to stability and from stability to prosperity, especially at a time when many working families continue to face rising housing, childcare, healthcare and grocery costs.
“We know financial stress can impact nearly every part of a family’s life, including maternal health, infant wellbeing, early childhood development and long-term access to opportunities,” said Hudson. “Programs like Rx Kids recognize that investing directly in families is not just compassionate; it is a strategic approach that can be transformational for families and communities. We are proud to help bring awareness to a program that has the potential to create healthier families and a stronger Southeast Michigan.”
Hudson added that United Way sees the program as an important complement to its broader work supporting ALICE (Asset Limited Income-Constrained, Employed) households; families who are employed but still struggle to afford basic needs.
“Too many families are working hard every day, doing the best they can and still face impossible choices between rent, childcare, transportation, healthcare and food,” Hudson said. “Rx Kids is helping relieve some of that pressure.”
Research on Rx Kids demonstrates that the initiative is already showing promising outcomes tied to improved maternal and infant health and financial stability.
“Rx Kids was created from a simple but powerful belief to trust families and invest in them directly,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, Director of Rx Kids and Associate Dean of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “We know that reducing financial stress during pregnancy and infancy can have lifelong impacts on the health and well-being of children and families. United Way for Southeastern Michigan brings trusted relationships, deep community connections and a long-standing commitment to supporting families. Their partnership as Regional Ambassador will help us reach more families and continue building momentum for this transformational work.”
As the Rx Kids Regional Ambassador, United Way will help distribute outreach materials, elevate participant stories, support local advocacy efforts, participate in community events and work collaboratively with Rx Kids leadership to increase visibility and engagement throughout Southeast Michigan.
For more information about Rx Kids and eligibility requirements, visit the program website.
About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, a member of the United Way Worldwide network and an independently governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to help households become stable and ensure children have the support they need to thrive. For more than one hundred years, United Way has been a leader in creating positive, measurable, and sustainable change in communities throughout southeast Michigan. United Way works in partnership with donors, agencies, corporate and municipal partners to help families meet their basic needs of housing, food, health care, and family finances, and ensure children start school ready to learn and graduate ready for life. To give, advocate, volunteer or learn more, visit UnitedWaySEM.org.
About Rx Kids
Rx Kids is the nation’s first-ever, community-wide maternal and infant cash prescription program, founded and directed by Dr. Mona Hanna, pediatrician and Associate Dean of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Administered by GiveDirectly, the global leader in cash transfers, Rx Kids has efficiently delivered direct support to thousands of families across dozens of communities—strengthening family financial security, improving maternal and infant health, and boosting local economies.
Rx Kids is built on a strong network of partners who bring together academic leadership, community expertise, and public–private investment to make this vision possible. Co-founded by Michigan State University and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, Rx Kids is implemented in partnership with local Community Champions and stakeholders who drive outreach, engagement, and celebration. Sustained through a robust public–private partnership that blends state investment with philanthropic and other support, Rx Kids reimagines what’s possible with a prescription for health, hope, and opportunity.
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