Rx Kids expands, bringing direct support to Cleveland

Rx Kids, the nation's first community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, announced the launch in three Cleveland ZIP codes, marking a major milestone in the program’s growth nationwide.

Beginning Sept. 1, Rx Kids will launch in Cleveland ZIP codes 44103, 44110 and 44114. The program improves population-wide maternal and infant health by reducing the financial stress families face during pregnancy and a baby’s first months of life.

Eligible families in these three zip codes will receive $1,500 during pregnancy followed by $500 each month throughout the baby’s first six months.

Since launching in Michigan in January 2024, Rx Kids has expanded to more than 60 communities, served more than 15,000 families, and generated a growing body of rigorous evidence demonstrating the health, economic and community impacts of direct financial support during pregnancy and infancy.

“The best investment we can make in Cleveland’s future is investing in our children from day one,” Mayor Justin M. Bibb said. “We’re proud that Cleveland will become the first community in Ohio — and the first outside Michigan — to launch Rx Kids. This partnership reflects our commitment to giving every child the healthiest possible start while helping position Ohio as a national leader in supporting moms, babies and families.”

Pregnancy and the earliest months of life represent one of the greatest opportunities to improve lifelong health, yet they are also among the most financially challenging times for families. As parents prepare for a new baby, household expenses rise while many families simultaneously experience a loss of income due to pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, caregiving responsibilities or limited access to paid family leave.

A growing body of national and global evidence demonstrates that reducing these financial pressures improves maternal and infant health and strengthens families. Emerging findings from Michigan show increased prenatal care, reductions in preterm birth and low birthweight, improved financial stability, fewer Child Protective Services investigations, positive economic impacts, and an early reduction in neonatal mortality following the launch of Rx Kids. These findings demonstrate the potential for place-based investments to improve health at the population level.

“Michigan has shown that it’s possible to improve maternal and infant health at the population level by investing directly in families during pregnancy and infancy,” said Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “We’re thrilled to begin our national expansion in neighboring Ohio. Given the Michigan-Ohio rivalry, this may be one thing we can all agree on: every baby deserves a healthy start. We're honored to partner with Cleveland to help make that happen.”

Although Ohio has made reducing infant mortality a statewide priority, significant disparities remain. In Cleveland, infant mortality remains more than twice the state average, underscoring the need for early, targeted and proven solutions.

First Year Cleveland will serve as the Community Champion for Rx Kids in Cleveland, leading community outreach, family engagement and cross-sector collaboration with healthcare providers, local government and community organizations to ensure the program reaches every eligible family.

Angela Newman-White, executive director of First Year Cleveland, said “First Year Cleveland is proud to work in partnership with our community to ensure that every baby celebrates their first birthday. Infant and maternal vitality is greatly influenced by economic stability and far too many families are navigating pregnancy and infancy under significant financial pressure. Rx Kids directly addresses that.”

Rx Kids is a national maternal and infant health program led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly.

“A parent knows their family’s needs best,” said Emma Kelsey, U.S. program director at GiveDirectly. “Rx Kids builds on decades of evidence from around the world showing that unconditional cash allows families to meet their unique needs in ways that improve health, economic stability and well-being. We are thrilled to bring this vital support to the youngest Clevelanders.”

The Cleveland expansion is made possible through a public-private partnership with foundational support from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, inaugural donor the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation, alongside philanthropy, community partners and individual donors.

“At the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation, we believe families are best positioned to know what they need to create a healthy start for their children,” said Laura O’Neill Bower, board chair of the foundation. “Rx Kids’ direct cash support empowers parents during one of life’s most important moments, providing flexible resources that strengthen family well-being from the very beginning. This investment reflects our mission to support effective community partnerships that advance health, safety, and empowerment and our vision of strong communities where every family can greet each day with hope, purpose, and peace. We are proud to help bring this innovative model to Cleveland and support healthier beginnings for children and families across our community.”

Enrollment opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 1. Eligible participants must be at least 16 weeks pregnant at enrollment, and newborns must be born on or after Sept. 1, 2026. To learn more or enroll, visit RxKids.org.

Additional public and philanthropic investment will help accelerate the program’s expansion to more Cleveland families. To give every Cleveland baby a healthy start, donations can be made at givedirectly.org/rxkids-cleveland.