Dr. DeGarmo has a BA in history, a masters in media technology, a masters in educational leadership, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University. Dr. DeGarmo wrote his dissertation on responding to the needs foster children face while in rural schools. He is the author of several foster-care books, including the new book The Foster Care Survival Guide, the bestselling book Faith and Foster Care, and the foster-care children's book A Different Home: A New Foster Child's Story. He is the director of The Foster Care Institute and acts as a consultant to foster care agencies and legal agencies across the US. Dr. John is a dynamic speaker and informative trainer on the foster care system, and he travels extensively across the globe, meeting with foster parents, child welfare workers, churches, schools, and organizations. Dr. John has appeared on several TV programs and channels, including CNN HLN, Good Morning America, Freeform, NBC, FOX, CBS, and PBS. He writes regularly for many magazines and is a regular contributor to several publications, both in the United States and overseas.

Dr. DeGarmo is married to Dr. Kelly DeGarmo, who hails from Australia, and the two of them have six children, both biological and adoptive. Dr. DeGarmo and his wife are also currently foster parents to three siblings, bringing their household to nine children. Dr. DeGarmo has been a foster parent for dozens of children for over a decade now. He has a passion for helping foster children and is driven to bring education and insight into general society about all things foster care.

Dr. DeGarmo and his wife are the recipients of the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award, and the Up With People Everyday Hero Award. The two also were honored with their city's Citizens of the Year Award.