Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Natalie Adams, MSE, LSW, is a seasoned professional in the field of child welfare with extensive experience in training and program management. Currently serving as Senior Training Manager at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption since October 2022, Natalie previously held multiple roles at the Institute for Human Services, including Program Manager, Consultant, and Casework Practice Coordinator from May 2020 to September 2022. At Franklin County Children Services from May 2013 to June 2019, Natalie was Associate Director and managed the Performance Review Project, ensuring quality improvement and overseeing a team of program coordinators in various case planning and review processes. Educational qualifications include a Master's degree in Education from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Ohio University.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of 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 and builds awareness around the growing need and importance of foster care adoption in various ways. We also develop resources for employers and families to support the adoption journey. Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our child-focused recruitment model to find loving, permanent homes for children in foster care. This model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, siblings and children with special needs. The Foundation offers a free library of resources to help families navigate the adoption journey, such as Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. The Foundation also works to build awareness around the growing need and importance of adoption from foster care through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more.