When families first hear the word “assessment,” it can bring up a mix of emotions. Curiosity, hope, and often a quiet sense of worry. Will this label my child? Will it feel clinical? Will it tell me something I am not ready to hear?
At Alora, we see assessments differently. We see them as conversations. As moments of reflection. As tools for clarity and direction, not judgment.
That belief is what shaped the STAGE Assessment, and it is also what drew Erin Herschell to lead the program.
Background and Career
Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts from Pittsburg State University and her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience spanning nonprofit child welfare, community mental health, early intervention, and university-based child development.
Throughout her career, Erin has prioritized practical and purposeful support where families feel understood and supported in real ways, not just on paper. She notes that Alora’s focus centers on relationships and helping people build meaningful lives — which aligns exactly with how she approaches her work.
What STAGE Does
STAGE identifies strengths to build upon and areas of need that are creating stress or barriers. It helps families plan futures by understanding which skills support bigger goals. The assessment guides individualized, person-centered goals aligned with what matters most to each person.
Why STAGE Feels Different
STAGE uses a conversational format with no right or wrong answers. It avoids comparing individuals to others, instead focusing on unique strengths, accomplishments, and growth areas. Families often say it feels less like a test and more like a meaningful conversation about the future.
Breaking Down Big Goals
Many families struggle to translate aspirations — like independent living or meaningful employment — into concrete, achievable steps. STAGE breaks large goals into smaller, realistic skills and demonstrates how current accomplishments build toward future objectives.
Annual repetition allows families to track progress over time. What felt overwhelming last year may feel within reach after a year of intentional skill-building. That shift in perspective is one of the most valuable things STAGE can offer.
Balancing Strengths and Challenges
Examining both strengths and challenges keeps the process grounded in the whole person. Naming abilities clearly builds confidence and hope, making it easier to address difficult areas sustainably. It’s not about focusing on what’s hard — it’s about understanding the full picture so you can move forward with clarity.
Hope and Direction
Erin recalls supporting a parent of a young teenager who felt overwhelmed by thoughts about adulthood, jobs, and living arrangements. When introduced to STAGE as a roadmap tool, the parent’s visible stress eased. Having a structured path — one that acknowledged where the child was while pointing toward where they could go — made the future feel navigable rather than terrifying.
STAGE offers a low-pressure way to get a clearer picture of what might help families now and in the future. The result is understanding and direction rather than labels. And that, ultimately, is what families need most.
