Bastard Nation is saddened by the death of long-time adoptee rights and adoption and foster care reform activist Kate Cleary. Kate died on December 5, 2019, after a short illness.
Kate was an adoptee rights pioneer. She served as the president of the American Adoption Congress in the late 1980s and early ’90s when it was.one of the few rights organizations around. In 1999 she founded the Consortium for Children in San Rafael, California, to provide support and technical assistance to both public and private child welfare agencies.to create positive outcomes for children and their families thrown into “the system.”
I knew Kate mostly by reputation. We had some correspondence over the years, and four years ago, I spent two days with her at a small policy retreat in Massachusetts. I was impressed with her intelligence, enthusiasm, and fortitude. Not many people stick with this crazy movement and maintain grace and sanity.
Kate can be seen here in the white hat just to the left of Jean Paton, Go here for more information on the 1989 Red Tape Ceremony.
There is no online obituary so I am posting the following statement from CFC:
On December 5, 2019, Kathleen (Kate) Cleary, the Founder and Executive Director of Consortium for Children, lost her brief but valiant battle with cancer.
Kate had a long history of involvement and activism in child welfare. As an adoptee herself, Kate worked on countless policy initiatives at the local, state, and national levels. Over the course of her extensive career, Kate strived to improve child welfare practice and ensure better outcomes for children. She founded Consortium for Children in 1999. One of Kate’s great joys was seeing the meaningful and substantial difference both the SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) and PPM (Permanency Planning Mediation) Programs continued to make for children, families, and professionals in the child welfare system.
Even though she served as the Executive Director, Kate chose to continue working as one of our SAFE Specialists to deliver trainings throughout the US and Canada as part of her continuous dedication to improving home study standards. Her work as a SAFE Specialist allowed her to connect with child welfare professionals and support them through the home study process, which she deeply enjoyed.
In 2016 Kate was awarded the prestigious Angel in Adoption award by Cong. Jared Huffman (D-CA). In 2017 she received the Excellence in Child Welfare Award from the National Council on Adoption.
Longtime SAFE Program Manager, Kelly Castaneda, has been named Acting Executive Director by the Consortium’s Board. The organization’s mission and programs will move forward to ensure that Kate’s legacy and passion for advocacy for children will be carried into the future. We will be forever grateful to Kate for establishing Consortium for Children as an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children and families, as well as providing support to the professionals who work on their behalf. Her vision and spirit will continue to benefit many generations to come.
She is survived by her husband Kevin and her beloved dog, Ben. There will be a celebration of Kate’s life in the near future with details made available in advance. Contributions in her name can be made to the Consortium for Children, 45 Mitchel Blvd. #1, San Rafael, CA. 94903 or Guide Dogs for the Blind, Attn: Donations Department PO Box 151200 San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
With respect,
Consortium for Children Team
CFC Board of Directors: Paul Finkle, Candace Emmer, Neil Kreuzberger, Chris Kahn, and Lawrence Papale
New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
Kate Cleary accomplished much during her life, as all for the betterment of others. Wish I had met her! My condolences to her husband and extended family.
Thank you for writing this piece. Kathleen, Kate as I knew her, was a true wonder to be around. Yes, absolutely, your impression is spot on. As well as genuine and honest, I will miss her dearly.