Advocate for SPARC
The conference committee is meeting now. The conferees have heard about the Permanent Injunction, the ADA, and the cost comparison. After meeting with Chairman Rodney Willet on Friday, it is clear that we need to drive home one point: funding SPARC helps with compliance.
Conference negotiations are active. Send your letter today or tomorrow at the latest.
What We're Asking You To Do
Choose the option that applies to you below. Whether you've already written or this is your first time, we need your voice right now.
Send today or tomorrow at the latest. The window is closing.
Please share with as many people you can and ask them to do the same.
Important Reminders for All Letters
- ⚠ Send individually to each conferee. Do not send as a mass email.
- 📎 Attach the letter from Virginia Legislature Leaders to Judge Gibney to every email you send. Download it here.
- ⏰ Timing: Send today or tomorrow at the latest. Conference negotiations are active.
Virginia Senate
- Senator Louise Lucas: senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Creigh Deeds: senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Mamie Locke: senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Todd Pillion: senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov
- Senator Richard Stuart: senatorstuart@senate.virginia.gov
Virginia House of Delegates
- Delegate Luke Torian: DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Betsy Carr: DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Delores McQuinn: DelDMcQuinn@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Paul Krizek: DelPKrizek@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Terry Austin: DelTAustin@house.virginia.gov
- Delegate Robert Bloxom: DelRBloxom@house.virginia.gov
If You Have Already Written to the Conferees
Send one short follow-up. You do not need to restate the case. Just make this one point: every dollar appropriated to SPARC counts directly toward compliance with the Permanent Injunction.
Suggested Subject Line: SPARC — SB30 Item 300 #8s — Compliance with the Permanent Injunction
Follow-Up Letter - Click fields to edit, then download or email
Dear ,
I am following up on my earlier email regarding SPARC’s funding in the conference report (SB30 Item 300 #8s).
SPARC is already in the budget and already reports participant data to DBHDS. This is not a new program seeking funding — it is a compliance mechanism seeking additional funding to support a population that lives below the federal poverty line and is excluded from participation in Medicaid funded services.
I want to make sure one point is clear: every dollar the General Assembly appropriates to SPARC is a dollar that counts directly toward Virginia’s compliance with the Permanent Injunction in United States v. Virginia. The Virginia legislature has already made clear that it would rather appropriate funds to serve this population than divert resources to contempt penalties.
Please adopt the Senate’s position.
Respectfully,
Don’t forget to attach the Letter from Virginia Legislature Leaders to Judge Gibney to your email.
If You Have Not Yet Written to the Conferees
Please send a full letter today if possible — the window is closing. You can use the template below or download the suggested letter to personalize and send.
Suggested Subject Line: SPARC — SB30 Item 300 #8s — Support Senate Position in Conference
Full Letter Template - Click fields to edit, then download or email
Dear Delegate/Senator ,
I am writing as (e.g., "a parent of a SPARC participant," "a supporter of disability services," or "a constituent who cares about disability rights"). I respectfully ask you to support the Senate budget amendment for SPARC in conference.
The Senate budget currently includes $500,000 for SPARC under SB30 Item 300 #8s – Specially Adapted Resources Clubs (SPARC). The House version (HB30 Item 300 #7h) does not include this funding. I urge you to adopt the Senate position in the final budget.
SPARC provides integrated, community-based day services for adults with complex disabilities who cannot work and require continuous one‑to‑one personal care support. This population represents the very individuals Virginia has struggled—over decades—to support in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Permanent Injunction in United States v. Virginia.
(The personal paragraph is important. Please write 2–4 sentences about your connection to SPARC.)
SPARC is not a pilot or a concept. It is a fully operating, proven program delivering exactly the type of integrated services the Commonwealth is legally required to provide—and doing so at substantially lower cost than Medicaid day programs. SPARC offers a significantly higher level of programming, community integration, individualized engagement, and meaningful daily activities than what is currently available to adults with the most complex needs.
Every dollar the General Assembly appropriates to SPARC is a dollar that counts directly toward Virginia’s compliance with the Permanent Injunction in United States v. Virginia. The Virginia legislature has already made clear that it would rather appropriate funds to serve this population than divert resources to contempt penalties.
Supporting the Senate’s budget amendment is a strategic, cost‑effective way for Virginia to show measurable progress toward compliance with the Permanent Injunction while expanding access to the high‑quality community‑based services that adults with severe disabilities deserve.
I respectfully urge you to maintain the Senate funding for SPARC in the final conference report.
Sincerely,
Tips for Your Full Letter
- ✓ The personal paragraph is important. Please write 2–4 sentences about your connection to SPARC — as a family member, participant, staff member, or community supporter.
- ✓ Send individually to each conferee. Do not send as a mass email.
- ✓ Attach the letter from Virginia Legislature Leaders to Judge Gibney to your email.
- ✓ Send it today. The conference process moves quickly, and every day counts.
Don’t forget to attach the Letter from Virginia Legislature Leaders to Judge Gibney to your email.
Why This Matters Now
The conference committee is meeting now. After meeting with Chairman Rodney Willet, it is clear we need to drive home the point: funding SPARC helps with compliance. Every dollar appropriated to SPARC counts directly toward Virginia’s compliance with the Permanent Injunction in United States v. Virginia. SPARC is already in the budget, already reports participant data to DBHDS, and serves adults who live below the federal poverty line and are excluded from Medicaid funded services. This is not new funding — it is a compliance mechanism. Your letter can make the difference.
Letters of Support
Leaders across Virginia are standing with SPARC. Browse letters of support from elected officials and community advocates.
Arlington County Board
Budget Request Letter
Virginia Legislature Leaders
Letter to Judge Gibney
Chairman McKay & Chairman Jimenez
SPARC Budget Amendment
Community Leaders
Support for Debi Alexander, CEO
Supervisor Sylvia Glass
Senate Budget Amendment Support
SPARC
Budget Request
Thank You for Standing with SPARC
The conference committee is meeting now and the window is closing. Every dollar appropriated to SPARC counts toward compliance. Every voice matters — send your letter today.
Questions? Contact Us