Dordt University named an Adoption Advocate by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Dordt University has been recognized this year as a Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace Participant and named an Adoption Advocate for 2023.

Each year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption conducts an Adoption-Friendly Workplace Survey. The 2023 survey included a variety of organizations from 22 industries. The findings highlight adoption-friendly employers who are leading the way in providing adoption and foster care benefits in the form of financial reimbursement for costs and paid leave time.

Other organizations on the Adoption Advocates 2023 list include Emory University, Mayo Clinic, New York Life, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Subaru of America, University of Notre Dame, and University of Southern California.

“We are humbled to be named an Adoption Advocate for 2023,” says Sue Droog, executive director of human resources and organizational development at Dordt. “Adoptive families can face many challenges through their adoption journey. Supporting those families during this process by providing financial assistance and time-off benefits is a good way to encourage those who feel called to adopt.”

Dordt has had an adoption assistance policy in place since 2014. Dordt provides a contribution of $2,500 per employee toward the adoption costs of a child and provides two weeks of paid parental leave in addition to any accumulated sick leave, vacation, and personal leave the employee wishes to utilize during an approved FMLA leave time when they bring those adopted home.

“As Christians, God wants us to love and care for others,” says Droog. “It is the responsibility of God’s people and members of his kingdom to care for his children. This is just one small way we can show our support and encouragement for those families who decide to adopt.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.

About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

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. More than 30 years ago, Dave Thomas led an initiative advocating for better adoption benefits in the workplace.