Apply for the 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is compiling its annual list of companies, small and large, that provide adoption benefits across the United States. Companies can take the survey, which will close on May 22, 2014.

The list will be announced in November during National Adoption Month, and will be published in the November 10, 2014 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek. The list will note the 100 companies with the best adoption benefits, and for the first time, an honorable mention list will be published on the Foundation's website.

"We want to hear from companies large and small, for profit and nonprofit, on how and why they provide adoption benefits to their employees," said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. "We hope to surpass the number of entries last year and celebrate the growing number of businesses around the country that provide adoption benefits for their employees. All companies that provide adoption benefits deserve to be recognized."

The 2014 survey deadline is Thursday, May 22. The 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.

All companies with adoption benefits are encouraged to apply by completing a brief survey at adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org. In November, the Foundation will announce America's top 100 adoption-friendly employers, the top 10 by size, the leaders in each industry and 'honorable mentions' of all companies who have filled out the survey to let us know that they provide adoption benefits.

"Adoption benefits provided by employers can offer a significant, cost-effective benefit to its employees while, at the same time, making a huge impact on the lives of children and families across the country," Soronen said. "There are more than 100,000 children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted from foster care. We applaud all companies who take the measures to support families who step forward to adopt."

Companies can become more adoption-friendly by instating the following:

• Offer flexible time off and work schedules
• Connect employees by creating an internal adoption network
• Promote the cause of adoption
• Educate and inform employees about the adoption process
• Provide post-adoption resources

If your organization does not offer adoption benefits and is interested in doing so, visit adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org, and order the free kit that provides information and tools to implement adoption-friendly workplace policies.

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 to be adopted in foster care systems in the United States and Canada . 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.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140507/85449

SOURCE Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption