America's 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces Honored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Sep 3, 2013) - Today, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption announced the seventh annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List, which celebrates companies and organizations nationwide for their adoption benefits and commitment to supporting adoptive families.

The Wendy's Company is No. 1 on the Foundation's list, with a combination of up to $25,300 in adoption assistance and up to six weeks of paid adoption leave. (Editor's note: The Foundation is not an affiliate of The Wendy's Company.)

"Our founder Dave Thomas was dedicated to the cause of adoption, and we share his commitment to help foster children find permanent homes," said Emil Brolick, President and CEO at The Wendy's Company. "We're honored to be named the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace again this year and to carry on Dave's important work."

The Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List is determined by an analysis of a company's adoption benefits, including the maximum amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for families who adopt. The Foundation partners with Employee Benefit News, a SourceMedia publication that is the leading source of information for benefits decision-makers, to announce the winners. To view the full list, visit adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.

Adoption benefits are one of the easiest benefit policies a company can offer and are becoming more popular. In Aon Hewitt's annual survey of 1,000 major U.S. employers, only 12 percent offered a financial adoption benefit in 1990. This year, 52 percent of employers reported offering a financial adoption benefit.

"It is vital for adoptive parents to spend time with their children to bond and develop trust," said Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Foundation. "Employers who offer adoption benefits understand that the initial needs of adoptive families are no different than families formed biologically. And family-friendly work environments create strong and loyal workforces."

The list recognizes organizations of every size and industry that offer adoption benefits. Employers who applied for the list offer an average of $7,000 in adoption assistance and four weeks of paid leave. Financial reimbursement varies from $500 to $25,300, and one to 18 weeks of paid leave. Unpaid leave for adoption, beyond what is required by the Family and Medical Leave Act, ranges from one week to three years.

Many employers go beyond benefits to support the cause of adoption. Some encourage adoption, educate potential adoptive parents, offer support and networks to employees who adopt, and incorporate adoption into services provided by their employee assistance program. Others include adoption nonprofits in their payroll deduction programs, or participate in cause-related marketing programs.

There are more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted. Every year, more than 23,000 children in foster care turn 18 and age out of the system without families. The Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List helps increase foster care adoption awareness while celebrating businesses that support adoptive families.

If your organization does not offer adoption benefits, order the Foundation's free kit, which makes it easy for employees to propose, and companies to establish a policy in the workplace. To apply for the 2014 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List, complete the Foundation's survey at adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.

Follow the Foundation's social networks for news and updates:

• Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/DaveThomasFoundationforAdoption]  
• Twitter [http://twitter.com/DTFA]
• LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/company/Dave-Thomas-Foundation-for-Adoption]  

About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 132,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy's® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.