Skills & Peer Support Providers
Tara Peterson, SSW
Skills Program Director
Amy Peterson, SSW
Skills WorkerAmy Peterson earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Utah and serves as a Skills Provider. She is passionate about helping individuals develop healthy habits, build positive routines, and gain practical skills that support greater independence and overall well-being in their daily lives.
Amy enjoys creating a supportive, encouraging environment where clients feel empowered to work toward their personal goals. She believes that small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference in everyday life.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, making crafts, and cheering on her kids at their sporting events.
Aulola Koloti, SSW
Skills WorkerAulola Koloti earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Utah and provides both School Skills-Based and Home Skills-Based services and is passionate about helping children, youth, and families build the skills they need to thrive. As a Tongan American, she values the importance of connection, culture, and community, and she strives to create a welcoming, supportive environment where clients feel understood and respected.
Building positive relationships is at the heart of her work. She uses active listening, effective communication, and a strength-based approach to support individuals in developing daily living skills, achieving personal goals, and overcoming challenges. She enjoys working closely with youth and families to encourage growth, build confidence, and foster lasting positive change.
Aulola is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Strengths-Based Practice, and she incorporates these approaches to help clients develop healthy coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and recognize their unique strengths.
Outside of her work, Aulola enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, dancing, and reading. She looks forward to connecting with each of her clients, and building those meaningful relationships is one of the reasons she loves what she does.
Kaleb Chapman, BSW
Skills Worker
Liahona Moleni, BSW
Skills WorkerLiahona Ta'ape Moleni earned a Bachelor of Social Work from BYU–Hawaiʻi and serves as a Skills Development Mentor and Respite Provider. She is passionate about helping adolescents build the confidence, skills, and healthy habits they need to create a brighter future.
Liahona believes that every young person has the potential to grow and succeed with the right support and encouragement. Through skills development and therapeutic discussions, she works collaboratively with clients to explore healthy coping strategies, discover safe and meaningful hobbies, and develop both short- and long-term goals that align with their personal vision for the future. Her approach is centered on building trusting relationships while empowering clients to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.
Committed to lifelong learning, Liahona has always been passionate about social work and continues to seek opportunities to expand her knowledge and better serve others. She credits her family as a constant source of support and inspiration throughout her social work journey, motivating her to grow both personally and professionally each day.
Outside of work, Liahona enjoys staying active at the gym and believes that self-care is an essential part of living a healthy, balanced life. She is also CPR certified and is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and supportive care to every client she serves.
Madison Albritton, BSWI
Skills WorkerMadison Albritton is a Skills Worker at Hopeful Beginnings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Brigham Young University, Idaho.
Madison supports children and adults in developing emotional regulation, social and communication skills, coping strategies, daily routines, independence, and other important life skills. She works with individuals who have a variety of developmental, behavioral, emotional, and learning needs. She finds this work especially rewarding because she enjoys helping others gain confidence, develop practical skills, and make meaningful progress toward their personal goals. Madison also values building positive relationships with those she supports and tailoring activities and strategies to meet each individual’s needs and strengths.
Outside of work, Madison enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and hiking.
Megan Smith, SSW
Skills WorkerMegan Smith is a Skills Worker at Hopeful Beginnings, where she enjoys supporting adult clients in developing practical skills that can help make their lives more meaningful and fulfilling. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Human Development and a Certificate in Criminology from the University of Utah.
A lifelong Salt Lake City resident, Megan is married to her best friend, and together they have a wonderful daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, spending time outdoors, and caring for her four cats. She also has a passion for crystals and rocks, which has grown into an extensive personal collection and a small side business creating and selling handmade crystal pieces.
Daniella Rodriguez
Skills WorkerDani Rodriguez is a Skills Worker with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Capella University. She is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive impact by supporting individuals and families as they work toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Dani enjoys working with adolescents, young adults, and families as they navigate life's challenges. Her areas of interest include anxiety, life transitions, relationships, and self-esteem. She believes in creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to develop the confidence and skills needed to reach their goals.
With a passion for lifelong learning, Dani is dedicated to continually growing both personally and professionally. She values building meaningful connections with those she serves and strives to provide compassionate, individualized support that encourages resilience and personal growth.
Outside of work, Dani enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and camping, staying active, playing the guitar, and making memories with her family. She believes that maintaining balance and embracing new experiences helps her bring authenticity, energy, and empathy to her work with clients.
Michelle ‘Sam’ Valdez
Certified Peer Support SpecialistAs a Certified Peer Support Specialist, I bring both professional training and lived experience to support individuals navigating their own paths toward healing and recovery. I have personal experience with mental health challenges, substance use, homelessness, poverty, and complex PTSD, which allows me to connect with others from a place of empathy, understanding, and hope.
I completed my education through Salt Lake Community College and continue to draw from my own life experiences to help others recognize their strengths, build resilience, and move toward their personal goals. I believe that recovery is a unique journey for every individual, and I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where people feel heard, respected, and empowered.
As a Forensic Peer Support Specialist, I provide encouragement and guidance to individuals impacted by the justice system, helping them navigate challenges, access resources, and develop skills that support stability and long-term wellness.
I am passionate about walking alongside others as they discover their abilities, rebuild their lives, and create a future defined by possibility and hope.