Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced he has chosen Lindsay and Jeff Nolte of Canton, South Dakota as his nominees for recognition as “Angels in Adoption.” Johnson is a founding member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and chose the Nolte family from nominees across South Dakota. 

Lindsay and Jeff have adopted four children, Mesa (12), Kelsey (11), Alyssa (4), and Caleb (2). Mesa and Kelsey are half-sisters who were taken in by the Nolte family as foster children, and Alyssa and Caleb had no relation, but had lived like brother and sister in previous foster homes. The Noltes are also advocates for educational supports for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.   

“Lindsay and Jeff have enhanced the lives of these South Dakota children by opening their hearts and homes to them,” said Johnson, who plans to display a photo and information about the family in his Washington, DC office. “As the grandfather of two adopted children, I know firsthand how enriching adoption can be for a family. I am proud to nominate Lindsay and Jeff as Angels in Adoption.”

A strong supporter of adoption programs, Johnson has long supported legislation making an adoption tax credit permanent. The credit would help lessen the financial burden families face when adopting a child. Adoption proceedings and legal fees for some domestic adoptions can cost more than $40,000.  

The “Angels in Adoption” program was established in 1999 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute to raise awareness about the importance of adoption.  For more information, visit http://www.angelsinadoption.org/.

In South Dakota, nearly 1,500 children are in the foster care system.  The average age of a child in foster care is nine years old.  At the same time, in South Dakota, approximately 75 children on average "age out" of the foster care system each year before they are adopted.

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