Dr. Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga is the Founder and Executive Director of ALAS. She holds a Doctorate in Education and a master’s degree in social work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, teaching in the Counseling Psychology program. Her focus of expertise is mental health in the Latino community, understanding trauma in immigrant children and families, and working with Farmworker mental health. She had launched significant community mental health initiatives at ALAS including significant advocacy for systemic change in care and access for our Coastside program. Belinda was named to the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame and was appointed as San Mateo County District 3 Arts Commissioner. Her research focuses on cultural interventions to address trauma as well as Farmworker mental health. She is the author of the award-winning children's book, Love and Monster's in Sofias Life. She has been a long-time member of the Bay Area Border Relief.
