Families First

1. Families First Adoption benefits helped these employees build their families—and generated a strong sense of loyalty to their employers.

2. Blake Stepp adopted Hayden, his wife’s son from a previous relationship, in April 2011. His employer, WellStar Health System, reimbursed him for $1,500 of the $2,300 in adoption costs. Shown above are: Stepp and his wife, Casie, with sons (left to right) Evan, 4, Hayden, 9, Elijah, 8, and Mason, 7, and daughter, Kylee, 1. Photo courtesy of Blake and CasieStepp

3. Gentry and Rosemary Jones of August, Maine, adopted Cruz, 2, in 2010 and Noah, 1, in 2012 with financial assistance from Gentry’s employer, Robins & Morton. The company offers up to $10,000 to reimburse employees’ adoption expenses. Photo courtesy of Gentry and Rosemary Jones

4. Sarah and Steve Cantor welcomed David, 8, James, 7, and Dorothy, 5 into their family in 2009. Her colleagues at the Holy Names Heritage Center in Lake Oswego, Ore., where she works as director of archives, sponsored a shower for them. Photo courtesy of Sarah and Steve Cantor

5. Nick and Amy Dill adopted Carrly, 4, in May 2009 and Mack, 2, in April 2011 – with financial help from Nick’s employer, Robins & Morton. They then gave birth to Wyatt, now 18 months. Photo courtesy of Bill SegrestPhotography