| Mission: Sparc helps individuals with developmental disabilities improve the quality of their lives |
| 232 Bruns Lane Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 793-2100 |
The Agency
501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded in 1951, Sparc is a well-regarded
fixture in the Springfield community, providing services to several
hundred individuals with developmental disabilities. These
services, described in greater detail throughout this site, reflect a
sensitivity to the diverse needs of each individual. Sparc programs
include 24-Hour Residential Support, Developmental Training,
Supported Living, Supported Employment, Janitorial Training,
Respite, Family Support and the Epilepsy Resource Center. The
roughly 225 full-time employees carry out these programs together
to meet Sparc's mission: to help individuals with developmental
disabilities improve the quality of their lives.
Individuals Supported
Sparc supports children, adults, and seniors with developmental
disabilties including autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy,
epilepsy, and other conditions that result in impairments similar to
those caused by mental retardation and require similar services and
intervention. Such disabilities must have occurred during the
developmental years, be expected to continue indefinitely and
present substantial challenges.
Sparc Facilities
The administrative and support services building, SPARCenter is
located at 232 Bruns Lane in Springfield. Other facilities include:
Sparc operates in 14 Community Integrated Living Arrangements
(CILAs), more commonly known as group homes. The Sparc
Endowment Fund, Inc. owns all Sparc facilities and CILA's except
the two with asterisks above.
The Administration
The 16-member volunteer Board of Directors governs Sparc. The
Sparc Endowment Fund, Inc. was chartered as a separate, not-for-
profit corporation in 1987 to manage contributions and planned
gifts made for the long-term benefit of individuals supported by
Sparc.
Accreditations/Affiliations
Sparc is a certified United Way of Central Illinois agency
accredited by CARF, the national accrediting body for
rehabilitation facilities. Sparc membership and affiliations include
Arc of Illinois, Arc of the United States, the American Network of
Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), the Illinois
Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) and the Springfield
Chamber of Commerce.
501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded in 1951, Sparc is a well-regarded
fixture in the Springfield community, providing services to several
hundred individuals with developmental disabilities. These
services, described in greater detail throughout this site, reflect a
sensitivity to the diverse needs of each individual. Sparc programs
include 24-Hour Residential Support, Developmental Training,
Supported Living, Supported Employment, Janitorial Training,
Respite, Family Support and the Epilepsy Resource Center. The
roughly 225 full-time employees carry out these programs together
to meet Sparc's mission: to help individuals with developmental
disabilities improve the quality of their lives.
Individuals Supported
Sparc supports children, adults, and seniors with developmental
disabilties including autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy,
epilepsy, and other conditions that result in impairments similar to
those caused by mental retardation and require similar services and
intervention. Such disabilities must have occurred during the
developmental years, be expected to continue indefinitely and
present substantial challenges.
Sparc Facilities
The administrative and support services building, SPARCenter is
located at 232 Bruns Lane in Springfield. Other facilities include:
- Epilepsy Resource Center
- Success Center for vocational training (part of the Supported
Employment program) - Developmental Training Center
- Developmental Training Center II (for those diagnosed with severe
or profound mental retardation, physical disabilities and/or the medically
fragile)* - Senior Center
- Jacksonville Developmental Training Center (for residents of
Jacksonville's state-operated faciility)*
Sparc operates in 14 Community Integrated Living Arrangements
(CILAs), more commonly known as group homes. The Sparc
Endowment Fund, Inc. owns all Sparc facilities and CILA's except
the two with asterisks above.
The Administration
The 16-member volunteer Board of Directors governs Sparc. The
Sparc Endowment Fund, Inc. was chartered as a separate, not-for-
profit corporation in 1987 to manage contributions and planned
gifts made for the long-term benefit of individuals supported by
Sparc.
Accreditations/Affiliations
Sparc is a certified United Way of Central Illinois agency
accredited by CARF, the national accrediting body for
rehabilitation facilities. Sparc membership and affiliations include
Arc of Illinois, Arc of the United States, the American Network of
Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), the Illinois
Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) and the Springfield
Chamber of Commerce.
2007 SPARC All rights reserved |
| About Us |
| SPARC, or Springfield ARC is a local chapter of the ARC of Illinois. What is the ARC? The Arc is the oldest and largest advocacy organization dealing with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the world. |
