National Adoption Month is celebrated during November, with a particular focus this year on November 21, which marks the tenth anniversary of National Adoption Day. The day serves as a day of celebration for adoptive families across the country. In addition, many U.S. courts use it as an opportunity to finalize adoptions from foster care. Since 2000, the adoptions of more than 25,000 children have been finalized on National Adoption Day.

Many employers recognize that the adoption process can be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. To help their employees who adopt, some provide adoption benefits, which can include financial assistance, paid or unpaid leave, or a combination of both, as well as other forms of support. Adoption benefits have been a popular benefit offering in recent years. However, with the recent economic downturn, some employers looking to trim costs have been forced to eliminate their adoption benefits, as well as other "less essential" benefits.

The Hewitt trends bulletin linked to below provides more details on employer-provided adoption benefits.