FLINT, Mich. (Sept. 22, 2025) — With costs on the rise and too many struggling to make ends meet, today, Senate Democrats hosted a roundtable discussion to uplift their Building Blocks bill package — a bold solution to deliver economic relief to Michigan parents statewide. Hosted in Flint by Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), the event featured legislative sponsors and fellow senators Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), along with local partners, parents, and community stakeholders. Introduced earlier this year, the Building Blocks legislation would lower costs for Michigan families by expanding the life-changing Rx Kids mom and baby cash payment program and the MI Tri-Share child care program statewide.
“I’ll forever be proud that the launching point for the nationally renowned Rx Kids program is here in Flint, where it has proven to be an absolute game-changer for local families, helping them afford everything from diapers and childcare to food, rent, and utilities,” said Sen. Cherry. “Today’s event confirmed what we already know: Rx Kids works, and it works well. That’s why my Senate colleagues and I are committed to keeping this momentum going with the Building Blocks package — so that parents in every corner of the state can access the relief they need, during the times they need it most.”
“We know that the challenges of parenthood don’t stop at city or county lines — families in every corner of our state need more support, especially during these times of economic uncertainty,” said Sen. Santana. “That’s why I’m proud to have championed this legislation to make Rx Kids a statewide program, ensuring that every Michigan family has equitable access to the ‘Building Blocks’ needed to raise healthy, happy kids.”
As the first-in-the-nation community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids began in Flint in January 2024 and has since expanded to ten other areas of the state, including Kalamazoo, five counties in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, Pontiac, Clare County, and several Oakland County communities as of earlier this month. Sen. Santana and event participants discussed how the Building Blocks bill package would build on that progress by implementing this program statewide, helping to break the cycle of childhood poverty and give new Michigan moms and their babies a fair shot at a good life.
“As a dad of two young boys, I know that between groceries, gas, child care, doctors’ visits, and more — the cost of parenting adds up quick,” said Sen. Hertel. “While anyone in Michigan who works hard should be able to raise a family and get ahead in life, the reality is that a lot of parents are just struggling to get by. However, by expanding programs like Rx Kids and strengthening investments in child care, we can help parents keep more of their hard-earned money and give kids a better opportunity to succeed.”
Today’s discussion frequently touched on the need to address the skyrocketing costs of child care, which not only places increasing financial strain on Michigan parents but also burdens the state’s workforce and economy. Sens. Hertel and McMorrow shared how their plan would tackle the child care crisis from both the demand and supply sides, including by codifying and expanding the MI Tri-Share program, which splits the cost of child care three ways between the employer, the employee, and the state of Michigan.
“Michigan moms and dads deserve to worry less about how they’re going to afford to put food on the table or afford their grocery bill so they can focus more on the joys of being a parent — sharing snuggles, stories, and making memories with their little ones,” said Sen. McMorrow. “Our Building Blocks package takes a comprehensive approach to make that happen, getting parents across the state the crucial resources they need to breathe a little easier and have a fair shot at a better quality of life for themselves and their children.”
“Across Michigan, Rx Kids is walking alongside families during one of life’s most challenging and transformative times — pregnancy and early infancy,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “The evidence is clear: this kind of unconditional support efficiently and effectively improves the health of moms and babies and strengthens family financial stability. We have a real opportunity to invest in our youngest Michiganders and shape a healthier, more hopeful future for communities across our state.”
“Public policy is such a valuable tool to improve people’s lives in our community and around the state,” said Jim Ananich, President and CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition. “I am proud to have the Greater Flint Health Coalition support the Tri-Share child care program and Rx Kids here in Flint, and appreciate the Senate Democrats’ efforts to improve and expand both of these programs further.”
“MI Tri-Share is a first-of-its-kind program, developed right here in Michigan, that brings employers, employees, and the state together to share the cost of child care,” said Emily Laidlaw, Deputy Director of Early Education with the Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). “This innovative public-private partnership helps working families access affordable, high-quality care, while supporting employers in attracting and retaining talent. By building on momentum and expanding MI Tri-Share, we can ensure more families and businesses across Michigan benefit from this solution for years to come.”
Comprised of Senate Bills 308–313, the “Building Blocks” plan would make raising kids more affordable for families in every corner of the state, while boosting health and economic outcomes along the way. Read more about this legislation at SenateDems.com/Building-Blocks.