Senator Rounds Nominates Brandt Family for Angels in Adoption Award

Northeast Radio SD News - Brandt, SD - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has announced the nomination of Riley and Emily Krause of Brandt for the prestigious 2025 Angels in Adoption Award. The award is presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI) and honors individuals and families who have made extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of adoption and foster care.

The Krauses, who reside on a farm near Brandt, where Riley manages the property, and Emily works as an elementary school teacher, have fostered fourteen children in total, with stays ranging from a few days to several months. They are currently pursuing their second adoption.

Their adoption journey began with a pivotal call on November 4, 2020. The Krauses were asked to take in a baby girl born in Huron who was very premature and suffering from hip dysplasia. That baby, Livia Catherine, was officially adopted by the Krause family just over one year later. Livia is now a “happy, healthy five-year-old” whose hip dysplasia has completely healed.

Senator Rounds, a member of the CCAI, spoke highly of the nomination. “I’m pleased to nominate Riley and Emily for this year’s Angels in Adoption Award,” Rounds said. “Foster parents and adoptive parents are a gift from God. The Krause family has opened their home to fourteen foster children... Emily and Riley have welcomed all of these children with open arms, showing them love and care when they need it most.”

The Krause family expressed their gratitude for the recognition. “We are so grateful to have been nominated for this award in South Dakota,” they stated. “We are happy we carried out God’s plan to place Livy in her forever home and eagerly await an opportunity to add more children.”

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children worldwide and tens of thousands in the U.S. foster system in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes. Members of Congress nominate outstanding families or organizations from their state each year for the award.

The office of Senator Rounds is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Angels in Adoption Award. Interested parties can find more information on the Senator’s website.