Companies in Colorado and across the nation are adding adoption and foster care benefits for workers, according to the 18th annual list of 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces.

Misty Valdez - a general manager for Wendy's in Aurora - was contacted by child services after her cousins were separated from their mom due to abuse, endangerment, and neglect.

All but one found new homes. When Valdez and her husband were told in 2019 that Xavi would be sent into state care unless officially adopted, they didn't hesitate.

"It felt like I had found out I was pregnant and gave birth on the same day," said Valdez. "It was an excitement feeling, but at the same time, really nervous. I can't explain it. It was one of those things where it was kind of overwhelming, but exciting at the same time."

In 2020, Colorado voters approved up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for new adoptive or foster parents per year. But nationally, nearly three in four workers still do not receive benefits.

Companies on the list offer an average of just under ten weeks of paid leave for new parents, a slight increase from 2023. They also pitch in nearly $16,000 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs.

After adopting Xavi, Valdez was able to spend ten weeks at home through her company's bonding leave program, which covered 100% of her wages.

She said that time helped bring the family, which included Valdez' two other children, closer together. It was also critical for finding resources to meet Xavi's particular needs.

"There was a lot of abuse prior to him coming into the home, so he had a lot of issues," said Valdez. "So having to move around the schedule, taking him to therapy. Having to adjust to the needs that he needed."

The annual list is compiled by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, named after the fast food chain's founder, who was himself adopted.

Valdez' advice to anyone adopting a child is to bring a lot of patience, and love. And she said the reward makes up for any challenges.

"You have another person that loves you unconditionally," said Valdez. "I'm going to have another kid that's going to have kids, and I'm going to be a grandma to another set of kids. It just expanded my family."




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The California Parent and Youth Helpline turns five years old today - just in time for a brand new study that confirms its effectiveness.

The study, published in the Journal of Technology in Human Services, found that 85% of people felt more positive, calmer and less angry after calling in.

Lead author Elizabeth Harris, a sociology professor at Arizona State University, said that kind of result is rare in social science research.

"Parenting interventions are expensive and difficult to do," she said. "Most interventions take months to take effect, so to be able to do an effective intervention in 30 minutes, that's a big deal."

The data also show about one-third of callers improved significantly on the scale - meaning they either went from making all negative statements to feeling 100% neutral, or they started off neutral and said they felt "100% positive" by the end of the call.

Parents and youths in distress can reach a trained counselor at 855-427-2736, 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Or they can reach out online at CAparentyouthhelpline.org.

Smith said the data show the helpline is especially effective at making people feel heard.

"Fifty percent of people who are lonely and isolated in their parenting role, they feel less of that by the end of the call," she said. "So, it shows that in less than 30 minutes, it's possible for a trained counselor to make a measurable difference."

She explained that the research used what's called sentiment analysis and secondary qualitative analysis, and validates the approach taken by Parents Anonymous, the group that runs the helpline.

CORRECTION: The number of foster care referrals received by Bethany Christian Services is 200 each month. A previous version of the story incorrectly stated it as 200 per year. (2:43 p.m. MDT, May 12, 2025)

May is National Foster Care Month and in Pennsylvania, more than 15,000 children are waiting for foster families. Their advocates are urging more people to open their homes to help.

Carrie Eckhardt, assistant director of domestic services for Bethany Christian Services of the Greater Delaware Valley, said their goal is to support families and children through quality social services. She shared a quote from the mother of Elle, a girl from a tough background who is now thriving thanks to a foster parent who adopted her.

"She's made honor roll every quarter, tried out for and made a sports team at her school, enjoys her youth group, volunteers with a club of her peers and in our church," Eckhardt outlined. "She handles her homework, manages her emotions, completes her chores, fills up her social calendar. I'm just along for the ride, cheering her on."

Eckhardt pointed out the group focuses on child welfare, refugee help and keeping families together, and aims to have enough homes for the 200 foster care referrals it receives each month.

Diakon Adoption and Foster Care helps around 4,000 children a year in 30 Pennsylvania counties, including support after adoption through the Statewide Adoption Network. The Steel family has been fostering with Diakon for 12 years, caring for 21 kids.

Hannah Steel, an adoptive sibling, said in a Diakon-made video her adopted sister Maya struggled at first but is now doing well.

"When she first came to us, it was a little stressful and a little different for her," Steel recounted. "But as time progressed and everything, we all learned how to live together and understand each other. And I think for her, she's made it a long way."

Patricia Menow, senior director of permanency for Diakon, said they use social media and take part in community events to raise awareness about the ongoing need for foster families and to reach as many people as possible.

"We offer 'Triple P,' which is a positive parenting training program," Menow explained. "That's an ongoing program from the time they start coming through as a resource family, through while they are a foster family."

Alyssa Snyder, executive director of permanency for Diakon, said it is important to understand there is a great need for more foster parents and organizations like hers can support families of all types.

"There's no blueprint for this," Snyder acknowledged. "We support individuals who have this interest and ability, and the youth that are coming into care deserve to live in a family. So, we just want to encourage folks to consider that for all ages of youth."


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Ohio's child care system is under strain and a new national report highlighted how Medicaid helps support the workforce behind early childhood care, especially in rural communities.

Medicaid provides critical coverage for child care providers, many of whom are low-paid and often go without employer-based insurance.

Brittany Boulton, vice president of the policy and advocacy organization Groundwork Ohio, said it is especially vital for rural families.

"Cuts to Medicaid would make these problems far worse and leave thousands of Ohioans and rural families without access to coverage and care," Boulton pointed out.

A report by the Georgetown University Center on Children and Family Studies said 30% of children in rural Ohio rely on Medicaid for health coverage, placing the state among the top 10 nationally for rural child enrollment.

National experts warned access to health care is essential not only for children but also for those who care for them.

Daniel Hains, chief policy and professional advancement officer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, said there is a clear link between health coverage and workforce stability. He noted about 16% of early educators lack insurance and those who do have coverage are more likely to stay in the field.

"We need more highly qualified, well-supported, well compensated early childhood educators, with 25+ percent of early childhood educators relying on Medicaid for their own health insurance," Hains noted. "With the critical supports the program provides for their education and for the children and families they serve."

Ohio's child care sector has lost nearly 6,000 workers since the pandemic began and Groundwork Ohio said access to Medicaid helps retain educators in a field facing critical staffing shortages.