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Right now, more than 108,000 children in foster care across the United States are waiting for a loving, permanent family. In a study conducted by The Harris Poll on the Foundation’s behalf, 64% of Americans said that their employer’s assistance with adoption expenses impacts their decision to adopt, and 68% said paid leave for adoptive parents impacts their decision to expand their family through adoption. Clearly, these benefits can make a huge impact for prospective parents, and they can be implemented at a relatively low cost to the employer.  

Here are 5 steps employers can take to help make adoption and foster care supported options for every working parent.  

1. Assess current adoption and foster care benefits  

• Look at the benefits package your organization currently offers.
• Consider opportunities to establish or expand these benefits to include paid parental leave, financial assistance and other types of support.

2. Meet with HR and leadership to discuss the value of offering adoption and foster care benefits to: 

• Ensure equity for employees in the way families are formed.
• Increase employee loyalty and retention.
• Maintain a competitive edge in recruiting new employees.

3. Share the Foundation’s Adoption-Friendly Workplace employer toolkit  

• Get the conversation started.
• Explore the toolkit, which offers an overview of an Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), leave, financial and tax considerations, sample news release and sample benefits policies.

4. Take the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace survey and highlight your commitment 

• HR professionals: Register for the upcoming survey now. You’ll receive notification when the survey opens, and can complete it in 15 minutes or less.
• Opt in to the Foundation’s database to gain access to full benefit data from other organizations. You’ll receive a free benchmark report to inform your policy.
• Feature your earned recognition badge on social media, website or in your materials.
• NEW in 2026: Become certified as an Adoption- and Foster-Friendly Workplace as an additional recognition of any participating organization that meets certification requirements.

5. Educate managers about ways to offer support 

• Ensure that all managers understand the policy and are prepared to work with employees who choose to utilize adoption and foster care benefits. Some employees may require scheduling flexibility to address pre- and post-adoption needs. Additional ways to offer support may include: 
• Providing adoption support in employee assistance programs
• Sharing resources about the adoption process and additional financial support that may be available. Exploring the Foundation’s resources for parents and caregivers is a great place to start.  
• Providing opportunities for foster care and adoptive parents to connect via support groups.
• Celebrating employees who choose to foster and adopt.

Download the toolkit

Learn more about how companies like Expand Energy and Fifth Third Bank implemented these steps to support their employees’ journey to parenthood.

Thank you for getting the adoption and foster care benefits conversation started at your organization and with your network. A simple conversation could change the life of a child waiting for a family. 

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent homes for the more than 140,000 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 grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.