Rachel Richards

RxKids was always built for scale. It’s simple - we’re just giving cash. (Because, you know what? We know cash works!) It’s THE evidence-based policy of evidence-based policies!

Am I fan-girling? Yes I am. Poverty is a policy choice and poverty elimination is a growth strategy. RxKids is a powerful prescription that goes far to help stabilize families at a time of economic insecurity.

All Michiganders deserve dignity and to be trusted that they know what they need to survive and thrive. RxKids helps get them there.

Wow! Through April, nearly 1,000 families in the upper peninsula have enrolled in RxKids, and well over 90% of families attended prenatal or pediatric visits.

It also helps preserve families’ independence. Families are allowed to spend the dollars on the things they determine they need. Which looks different if you live in Gogebic, Flint, Kalamazoo, Clare, or Mackinac Island.

We are putting RxKids in different communities and data should show similar findings elsewhere. We expect to see a strong ROI and additional cost savings in rural Michigan, Kalamazoo, northern Michigan. This program works regardless of where you put it!

Families are spending their benefits on baby supplies and things that allow them to keep living - food and housing. But there are also huge savings through healthier pregnancies, fewer low-birthweight babies, and healthier babies. And RxKids helps prevent involvement in CPS.

And the results are clear and affirming. By putting money into community, RxKids has a huge economic impact. Every dollar that goes in, has a 2.4 ROI (based on rigorous analysis by the Upjohn Institute).

We need to look at all of our policies through a child and family lens. And revenue!

There are 10 million Michiganders, and we all should be given the opportunity to thrive. This panel will give us common sense and common ground solutions to help us get there. @MichLeague #MPC26

Social safety net is being dismantled. RxKids is great example of of a creative partnership between philanthropy, nonprofits, academics and the state. But philanthropy cannot fill the gap left by the loss of the safety net.

We need to pair the policy with revenue streams! We can’t just talk about public investment but also talk about how we are going to pay for them!

Families are experiencing all of these things at once; they aren’t thinking about their housing needs, food needs, childcare needs, or healthcare needs separately. All of these things matter and all at once.

We often have conversations about policies in silos, but families really need this constellation of things in order to survive and thrive. We can’t be talking about a family policy agenda in silos.

Budgets are moral documents; the tell us who and what we value. We need to address the systemic issues kids and families are facing. We need to take a look at what we are choosing to invest in, and choosing kids and families is sound economic policy.

Years ago, the waitlist for a quality, licensed childcare facility was 1 year. Now it’s 1-2 years. And even if it’s available, it’s unaffordable. Folks are thinking of leaving the workforce because of lack of childcare.

Those closest to the issues-those with lived experiences-need to be at the table. Employers need to ask their employees what their lives are like and what they’re experiencing. When we talk to our families, we hear that the story is the same as the statewide data.

We keep hearing themes of stability, predictability, and quality of life. “I don’t just want the money to make rent but I also want the time to go to my kid’s sporting event or be a part of my faith community.” This “lack of time” add to ACEs and parent stress.

Poverty and struggling families aren’t partisan. And nonpartisan solutions - like cash - really support Michigan families. We’ve seen results from the expanded CTC during the pandemic and RxKids. These policies help give families room to breathe.

Michigan’s Duncan Aviation shows how employers not only can help support families inside their institutions but can also help their outside community through supporting child care initiatives. It’s time for employers to step up and take part.

Michigan workers are having to take on more hours or additional jobs to make ends meet. 41% are taking on debt or seeking payday lending services. And many Michigan parents are reporting feeling down or depressed. Michigan families are not thriving.