Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that his nominees, Shelby Means and Chad DeLaca, have been selected as the 2019 “Angels in Adoption” for California’s Fifth Congressional District. This award is granted to people across the country who make lasting differences in promoting adoption, permanency, and child welfare.
“Shelby and Chad have dedicated their lives, both as professionals and as a married couple, to serving foster youth and ensuring the positive development of young people in our community. Together they have fostered 16 children over the years and their service to young people has made a difference in the lives of countless others,” said Thompson. “We are so proud of their hard work and it was my honor to nominate them as this year’s Angels in Adoption. I am proud to have them in Washington, D.C. this week where their dedication to our community will be honored as they stand with other advocates like them from across our nation.”
Shelby Means and Chad DeLaca have fostered 16 children over the past nine years and currently live with their three forever children, ages 16, 12, and 2. They currently also care for three foster youth. They have recently committed to welcoming siblings into their family so foster youth are not separated. Shelby and Chad have also dedicated their professional lives to the wellbeing of our community’s young people. Shelby is the Program Director of TLC Child and Family Services Transitional Housing Program where she serves current and former foster youth. Chad is a Senior Medical Assistant in the Student Health Services Department at Santa Rosa Junior College and serves as a foster youth mentor and ally on campus.
The Angels in Adoption Program is run by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and honors people and organizations that promote strong adoption, permanency, and child welfare programs across the county. Each year they recognize individuals who are dedicated to these issues and make a deep national impact.
