Dr. Garalina has always cared about child welfare and empowering others, especially after extensively interacting with the mental heath system as a youth, which is why she went to UCLA and majored in psychology and sociology. She then pursued her MSW from USC. As a new social worker, her first job in a group home after graduating with her MSW made her realize how many amazing kids are stuck in the foster care system. This led her to become a foster parent at the age of 26 years old, and she has had the opportunity to foster 14 teens and preteens since then. Realizing how difficult life was for these youth, educationally and otherwise, she went back to school to explore the educational persistence of students with a history of foster care. She graduated with her Ed.D from Johns Hopkin University. She is passionate about social justice, creating inclusive environments, and reducing the stigma of mental health.