Become a Nationally Recognized Adoption-Friendly Workplace: Call for Applications Now Open

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Apr 18, 2016) - The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, America's only nonprofit public charity, dedicated to finding homes for children in foster care, has opened its annual survey of companies for its Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace list. This year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will recognize all employers who complete the survey and offer any type of adoption benefit.

"Our goal is to find a loving family for every child waiting in foster care. And just as every child deserves a loving, permanent family, we believe every parent deserves support and time to bond with their child," said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Foundation. "We are so grateful to every company that now has adoption-friendly benefits in place, and look forward to encouraging even more companies to sign on."

Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces represent companies big and small across the country, such as: American Express, Avon Products, Inc., Brooks Brothers Group, Inc., Cornell University, Domino's Pizza LLC, General Mills Inc., NBA (National Basketball Association), Nestlé USA, Inc., Patagonia, Inc., The Wendy's Company and Zappos, among others.

The Foundation's list is determined by an analysis of a company's adoption benefits, based on surveys completed by employers, including the maximum amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for families who adopt.

The 2016 application deadline is Tuesday, May 31. Companies with adoption benefits are encouraged to apply for consideration by completing the Foundation's free survey at adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org. If a company completed the survey in a prior year, a new application must be completed. This year's Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces will be released in September.

"Some companies don't think it's worth the effort to put adoption benefits in place, because it's a special niche or they may think they can't afford it -- but that's not the case," continued Soronen. "Adoption-friendly policies are easy to implement, cost-effective, and family-friendly work environments create loyal and happy employees."

More information about adoption benefits, including a free kit to learn more about how to create an adoption-friendly workplace, is available at: adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.

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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 130,000 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 innovative grant making. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.