For the eighth year, Cornell University has been recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, moving into first place among educational institutions on the organization’s 2014 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list, based on its employee adoption benefits.

“Cornell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion provides the foundation for our strong focus on addressing the needs of our increasingly diverse families, including adoptive families,” said Lynette Chappell-Williams, associate vice president for inclusion and workforce diversity. “We recognize that the needs of adoptive families begin with making the decision of whether to adopt, including the financial and adjustment challenges of the initial adoption, and through identity issues, such as those that can occur in transracial or transcultural environments.”

To help cover the costs incurred through the adoption process, Cornell provides up to $5,000 per adoption and $6,000 for adoption of a child with special needs.

Like all Cornell parents, adoptive parents can apply for Cornell grants to assist with child care expenses of up to $5,000 per year, enroll in a flexible spending account for dependent care reimbursement or add their child to their medical, dental, group-life and personal-accident plans.

Cornell’s parental leave benefit provides up to 16 weeks of time off during or after the adoption process. The primary caregiver can use up to six weeks of half-paid parental leave. The other parent in the family, if also a benefits-eligible Cornell employee, can qualify for up to four weeks of half pay.

Support networks, counseling, workshops, an adoptee-mentoring program and a travel fund for faculty members who incur dependent care expenses while traveling for career-related business also are available.

“Since 2005, Cornell has helped more than 60 families – including families adopting internationally – with adoption support,” said Chappell-Williams.

The Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list helps increase foster care and adoption awareness while celebrating businesses that support adoptive families.

To view the full list, visit adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.