1. PUBLIC HEALTH
November 23, 2015
RE: Letter of Reference for Janice Gardner-Spiece
Janice began her career w ith Niagara Region Public Health as a Peer Education
Coordinator in 2008. In 2009, she became the Volunteer Supervisor, a newly
created position. Since last May, Janice has been in the temporary position of
Respite Services Program Manager in Community Services, Niagara Region. In
the position of Volunteer Supervisor, Janice w as responsible for the overall
management of the Public Health volunteer program in accordance with the
Ontario Public Health Standards, policies and approved budget. This included
providing technical expertise and administrative collaboration necessary to
ensure the effective and efficient planning, implementation and evaluation of
the volunteer program.
Janice’s accomplishments include:
• Collaboration and creation of partnerships with many divisions and
programs in promoting and supporting volunteers. She successfully
developed volunteer positions where previously none had existed.
From 2009 to present, Janice scaled up the volunteer resources by
recruiting over 1000 new volunteers into approximately 50 new
positions. She was able to influence and persuade some divisions that
had limited exposure to volunteers, creating a culture of acceptance
and demand for volunteers to assist with service delivery and meeting
program objectives.
• During 2014 and 2015, Janice carried the responsibilities of Manager,
CDIP and Volunteer Supervisor at the same time for two months. She
also held the roles of Volunteer Supervisor and Volunteer Resources
Administrator for seven months. During this time, she also
implemented a Lean review of the volunteer program and formulated
and delivered a presentation to The Ontario Public Health Conference.
• The Volunteer Program has been identified as a best practice for
volunteer programs in public health across Ontario. Many health units
have consulted Janice for guidance and advice. Janice’s strong
initiative led to innovative ways to deliver the program. Some
elements that were developed include: online applications and
reference checks and a volunteer web portal for volunteer engagement
and communications.
• The Volunteer Program w as selected by the Associate Medical Officer
of Health to highlight to Regional Council as an innovative w ay to be
responsive and extend outreach into the community in a fiscally
responsible w ay. Janice was also the Co-chair of the Corporate
Volunteer Policy Group; networking with professionals across the
corporation to develop and deliver a corporate wide policy.
Janice’s strong work ethic, integrity and commitment to the Volunteer
Program has facilitated the program’s success. Janice’s knowledge and
experience, combined with her diligence, professionalism and efficiency, w ill
contribute to her success in future roles. I thank Janice her for her
contributions and wish her success in future endeavours.
Sincerely,
Ellen Wodchis
Director, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention
cc: Employee File
DR. VALERIE JAEGER
Medical Officer of Health
 Main Office
1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Campbell East
Thorold, ON
Phone: 905-688-3762
1-800-263-7248
Fax: 905-682-3901
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1052, Station Main
Thorold, ON L2V 0A2
Branch Offices
□ Niagara Falls
5710 Kitchener Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 1C1
Phone: 905-356-1538
Fax: 905-356-7377
□ Sexual Health Centre
Phone: 905-358-3636
Fax: 905-358-2717
□ Welland
200 Division Street
Welland, ON L3B 4A2
Phone: 905-735-5697
Fax: 905-735-4895
□ Sexual Health Centre
Phone: 905-734-1014
Fax: 905-734-1770
□ Fort Erie
1264 Garrison Road, Unit 12
Fort Erie, ON L2A 1P1
Phone: 905-871-6513
Fax: 905-871-3020
□ Sexual Health Centre
Phone: 905-871-5320
Fax: 905-871-3333
□ St. Catharines Sexual Health Centre
277 Welland Avenue
St. Catharines, ON L2R 2P7
Phone: 905-688-3817
1-800-263-5757
Fax: 905-688-6063
□ Emergency Services Division
509 Glendale Avenue East SS 4
Niagara on the Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Phone: 905-984-5050
Fax: 905-688-5079
□ Mental Health
3550 Schmon Parkway
Unit 2, Second Floor
PO Box 1042
Thorold, ON L2V 4T7
Phone: 905-688-2854
Fax: 905-684-9798
www.niagararegion.ca