Community spotlights: May 2026

In May’s Thrive Highlights newsletter, we highlighted how partners are helping turn the tide by increasing the availability of culturally relevant care, promoting the expansion of health coverage, addressing the systems that create obstacles and strengthening the maternal-care workforce. Beyond that theme, a range of stories in the media this month pointed to the many ways communities are working to support children and families.  

• Mothering Justice co-authored a piece for Michigan Advance highlighting National Postpartum Awareness Week for Black, Indigenous People of Color to bring attention to preventable postpartum deaths disproportionately impacting Black mothers.   

• Georgetown University Center for Children and Families reports that children’s Medicaid/CHIP enrollment has fallen by as much as 1.8 million ahead of H.R.1 implementation.  

• Public Health Watch’s podcast Fumed won top honors at the National Headliner Awards. It follows two politically conservative Texas residents as they fight the petrochemical industry encroaching on their community.   

Mexico  

• Rising Voices hosted a digital advocacy conference to promote the inclusion of Indigenous languages in digital spaces and increase support for language justice in Mexico and elsewhere.   

Michigan  

• Michigan has expunged nearly 1.6 million convictions since 2023 under its Clean Slate law, with Safe and Just Michigan advocating for reforms that expand access to jobs, housing and second chances.  

• Detroit leaders, including Birth Detroit and Rx Kids, are advancing community birth centers, cash support and doula access to reduce high infant mortality rates and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.   

• Battle Creek’s resilience, demonstrated by diversifying its economy with new industries and redevelopment, offers a model for Rust Belt cities adapting to manufacturing job losses and economic change.   

• Michigan Nonprofit Association says volunteerism is evolving as young people favor flexible roles, prompting nonprofits to rethink engagement strategies to attract volunteers and sustain strong community service participation.   

• Early Childhood Investment Corporation supports Michigan’s pilot expanding free pre-K into home-based settings, increasing family choice, strengthening provider networks and helping more children access early learning in smaller, flexible environments.   

• Detroit Regional Partnership collaborated with others on a community engagement playbook that guides employers new to the region in connecting with local organizations, accessing talent and supporting inclusive economic growth.  

• Rx Kids will expand to 20 West Michigan communities, offering no-strings cash to pregnant women and new mothers to improve maternal and infant health and reduce financial stress during early childhood.   

• Michigan League for Public Policy hosted a forum highlighting how economic inequality undermines democracy. Speakers shared how to expand economic security and power for historically excluded communities.   

Mississippi   

• Mississippi Coding Academies will launch a new Vicksburg campus at MCITy in August, expanding to seven locations in the state and offering hands-on training in drones, robotics and emerging technology skills.   

• Mississippi Children’s Museum secured $5 million in state funding to expand exhibits and programming connected to its LIFT (learn, inspire, fulfill and teach) initiative, strengthening statewide learning opportunities focused on literacy, innovation and family engagement.  

New Mexico  

• With increased investment and growing enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds, New Mexico continues to climb in national pre-K rankings.   

New Orleans  

• Louisiana Public Health Institute secured a $20 million Gulf Futures Challenge award to create storm-ready Learning Resilience Hubs serving 500,000 Gulf Coast residents across four states during disasters and disruptions.   

• The New Orleans Youth Alliance, Clover and other partners launched the Collaborative of Resources and Empowerment, bringing together 14 organizations to provide education, health, workforce, legal and family support services.