Baylor University Named to Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recognizes Baylor’s parental leave and adoption benefits with No. 2 ranking in education industry
Media Contacts: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University, 254-710-6275 and Mary Ellen Smalley, Dave Thomas Foundation, 614-764-8437
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WACO, Texas (Sept. 25, 2017) – Baylor University, which implemented expansive new policies in April that provide paid parental leave for staff and an adoption assistance program that benefits both staff and faculty, has been recognized on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 2017 Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption surveyed the nation’s employers in search of those with the best adoption benefits, comparing financial reimbursement and paid leave given to new adoptive parents. The Foundation recognizes employers by size, industry, best leave and foster care benefits.
Baylor tied for No. 89 overall in the United States and ranked No. 2 in the education industry. The University also is featured on the foundation’s foster care benefits list.
“We are honored to be recognized among the Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in the United States – and No. 2 in education – by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “Our parental leave and adoption assistance benefits align with Baylor’s Christian mission and reflect our deep commitment to our faculty and staff by providing a supportive work environment that fosters the work-life balance vital to families’ capacity to flourish.”
Baylor is one of only two Texas universities and among the few nationally that provide both staff and faculty with paid parental leave. With the adoption assistance program, Baylor is the only university in Texas and one of a handful nationally that provides this benefit, placing Baylor among the top adoption-friendly universities in the country.
Baylor’s parental leave policy provides up to four weeks of paid leave for full-time staff (female and male) who become parents through birth or adoption. The policy, which is available to staff immediately upon employment, gives parents time and flexibility to bond with their new child/children.
The adoption assistance program helps full-time faculty and staff defray expenses associated with the adoption process and affirms the choice by staff and faculty to grow their families in this way. The program reimburses up to $6,000 of qualifying adoption-related expenses per adoption, up to two children per year. Faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the program following one year of full-time employment with the University.
According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, more than 110,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system, through no fault of their own, waiting to be adopted. Every year, more than 20,000 children in foster care age out of the system without families. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions from foster care and commends all employers who recognize the priceless time needed at home when a child joins their forever family.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT 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 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.
THE WENDY’S COMPANY - FOREVER FAMILY
The Wendy’s Company was the original advocate of the Adoption-Friendly Workplace program. The company put in place robust workplace adoption benefits more than 25 years ago. In 2016, The Wendy’s Company was awarded Forever Family status, which is an emeritus position on the Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace list that recognizes their continued commitment to these crucial benefits.