Our Story


Our Story

Learn more about the company that’s taking software for educators to the next level.

Embrace® commits to providing high quality, easy-to-use software so educators can keep their focus where it belongs – on students.

Gus Brecht and Joe Koenig use their experience in special education and software development to combat the frustrations involved in managing IEP and 504 plans, documenting intervention plans, monitoring services and reimbursement, and evaluating staff. It’s proven to be a winning combination.

With over 18 years in business, Embrace® has achieved a 99% client retention rate!

Meet Gus Brecht

Gus Brecht is the man behind Brecht’s Database Solutions, the creator of EmbraceIEP®, Embrace504®, and other software for educators. After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education, Gus taught middle school students with disabilities for 13 years.

Frustrated by the time paperwork was taking away from his students, Gus embarked on a journey to create IEP software that truly met teachers’ needs. He looked for a simpler way to write plans and create reports. Gus envisioned a software that was easy for anyone to use and to learn. His dream system was one with an intuitive interface and easy customization to suit the needs of educators across the country.

Gus began developing his own solutions in 1999, and, in 2005, met up with Joe Koenig when Brecht’s Database Solutions went web-based.

Meet Joe Koenig

Joe has a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He was the Chief Information Officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as well as an entrepreneur running his own web development firm. Joe also personally understands the needs of the special education community, as it has a daily impact on his personal life, with a wife who is a special education teacher and a child who is an IEP student.

With their combined experience, Gus and Joe take the EmbraceSuite to new levels. The fast-performing, web-based platform is home to solutions for every facet of special education – and then some.

Introducing EmbraceSuite

EmbraceIEP® emerged early as an industry leader in IEP software programs. With it, educators cut their plan writing time by 50 percent or more utilizing built-in features.

Embrace504® provides districts with an efficient and user-friendly solution for writing 504 plans.

EmbraceMTSS® is a process-based data collection software to streamline MTSS documentation and keep students from falling behind.

EmbraceDS® assists districts with increasing Medicaid reimbursement, service delivery accuracy, and audit readiness.

Finally, EmbraceEVAL® is a customizable teacher evaluation program that simplifies the teacher evaluation process and promotes communication between educators and evaluators.

Our loyal clients respect Embrace® for delivering:

  • Outstanding customer service – Our Success Specialists are always knowledgeable of the products and associated best practices and are dedicated to providing superior service.
  • Easy access – Work from any location via computer or mobile device.
  • Time saving features – Built-in features allow staff to write an IEP or 504 plan in half the time, track interventions, document services, or complete classroom observations
  • Reliability – Our system is backed by a 99.99% uptime guarantee
  • Security – Embrace® utilizes industry-standard security procedures to keep your data safe

Discover the secret to our 99% client retention rate! Request a demonstration of our Embrace® software today.

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