To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Rx Kids, in an annual amount of $427,680.00, to provide the prenatal and infant health program for the first six months after birth in the following high-priority communities; Flint Township, Montrose City, Montrose Township, Genesee Township, Mt. Morris City, and Mt. Morris Township; this is a three (3) year program
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and RxKids, in an annual amount of $427,680.00, to provide the prenatal and infant health program for the first six months after birth in the following high-priority communities; Flint Township, Montrose City, Montrose Township, Genesee Township, Mt. Morris City, and Mt. Morris Township; this is a three year program
BACKGROUND:
RXKids was a program launched after the Flint Water Crisis. The program provides cash payments to expectant mothers prior to birth as well as for a period of time after the birth of the child. The State of Michigan made a substantial commitment to this program during the last budget cycle. To leverage these dollars, and to provide support in other non-city communities that have high rates of Medicaid enrollment, RxKids is asking Genesee County to provide match funding.
DISCUSSION:
RXKids, a program of Michigan State University Pediatric Public Health Initiative, is asking for $427,680.00 per year for the next three years. This funding will be matched with State of Michigan funding to provide a community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program. Each mother would receive a one-time prenatal payment of $1,500 and a payment of $500 for the first six months after the birth of the child. Each mother, living in the following communities, would be eligible for this payment, Flint Township, Montrose Township, City of Montrose, Mt. Morris Township, City of Mt. Morris, and Genesee Township. Further information about this program is included in the attached documentation.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There would be no impact on HR.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for this program would come from fund balance within the Health Department budget. The county is required, by state law, to contribute a minimum amount of general fund dollars towards operations. When those dollars are not fully spent, a fund balance is accumulated. Currently, the Health Department has over $8 million in unrestricted fund balance. A budget amendment is attached for account 2210-259.00-955.000.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There would be no further impact on Facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
There would be no impact on Technology.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This program will help further the Board of County Commissioners’ goal of a Healthy, Livable, and Safe Community.
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, authorizes entering into a three-year agreement between Genesee County and GiveDirectly, the nonprofit administrator of the Rx Kids program, whereby the contractor will use money to provide a prenatal and infant health program for the first six months after birth in the following high-priority communities: Flint Township, Montrose City, Montrose Township, Genesee Township, Mt. Morris City, and Mt. Morris Township, at a total cost not to exceed $1,283,040 for the three-year term to be paid from the Health Department account 2210-259.00-955.000, with no General Fund appropriation required (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the April 8, 2026 meeting of the Human Services Committee of this Board), the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of Genesee County following its approval by Corporation Counsel, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.