Check your Employee Benefits
An adoption benefits plan is a company-sponsored program that financially assists or reimburses employees for expenses related to the adoption of a child and/or provides for paid or unpaid leave for the adoptive parent employee. The assistance may include reimbursement for specific costs or a fixed amount of money, regardless of actual expenses (usually between $2,000 and $6,000). Other benefits may include paid or unpaid leave and counseling and support before and after adoption.
You may be able to persuade your employer to recognize the many benefits of offering assistance to families and children if your employer does not offer a plan. Adoption benefits plans offer equity and fairness for employees building their family through adoption and for those giving birth. The plans are low cost since few workers actually utilize the benefits. Such plans create good will and give back to the community since children and families are the beneficiaries of the company's support of adoption. Lastly, companies can remain competitive and keep pace with business trends since more companies are offering adoption benefits plans.
For more information about employer adoption benefits please contact the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and the National Adoption Center at 1-800-TO-ADOPT.
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