How Jackson County simplified its IEP system via Embrace®

The cooperative struggled with multiple system interruptions and issues, and could not get adequate customer support from the previous provider.

“You had to get into the system and put in a ticket. It might be 2 weeks before they would ever respond to your technical issues, and when you're dealing with IEP software, sometimes you need an answer right away.” stated Amber Stansberry, Director of Special Education.

Having a shared service agreement with four different districts, the cooperative worried that coming to a consensus on an IEP software would be a difficult decision.

The cooperative was looking for a seemless implementation process and a simplified IEP/ARD system to save staff's time, and redirect the teachers' efforts into the classroom. 

Fast and responsive support
"I can actually call someone! Being able to send an email saying ‘Hey can we add this, can we change this?’ and within a couple of minutes I get a response back," Amber commented.

Clear demos
After meeting with Embrace®, all districts quickly came to an agreement. “After my staff went through the previews, they agreed EmbraceIEP® was the one for us,” Amber acknowledged.

Seemless implementation

Implementing new software right before the 2020 pandemic was definitely a daunting idea, but it has proven to be an easy transition for JCSSC.

“There were some challenges with how we started school and remote learning, but [Embrace®] was really helpful with my staff. We did train-the-trainer, so [Embrace®] trained my staff and then we went out and trained the campus,” explained Amber. “My teachers have been easier to train because they're not having to dig through 5 pages to find what they need."

Self-audit functionality

There are required boxes so my staff knows what has to be filled out. If [a document] doesn't have a check mark [on the screen], it’s not done,” said Amber.

Translation of user input, not just form data 

“Our old software could translate the form data, but not what we typed in. My secretary spent hours and hours translating IEPs, and it would take days to get one done. Now it’s with a click of a button,” said Amber.

Built-in form clues

“You can also add just the forms you need for that ARD so you’re not having to sift through 180 forms every time you have an IEP. One of the things my teachers like, once you create a meeting, you can see exactly what you need to put in,” Amber added. “Staff can upload [files] to a meeting or to the student, which is important when we have things that need to get signed.”