GREENFIELD — The New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) has decided to go with a co-executive director model so that one can focus on administrative duties and one can focus on programming.

According to Pam Brown, president of NELCWIT’s board of directors, the decision is the result of a 10-month analysis with consultation from Beth Spong of Rainmaker Consulting. The local organization and Spong examined and evaluated different types of administrative models before coming up with the best one for the nonprofit.

Throughout the organization’s 43-year existence, Brown said NELCWIT has used different models — she was a co-director for nearly two decades. There has also been just one director at times. Carla Oleska currently serves as NELCWIT’s temporary executive director.

Brown said the search for co-directors will begin immediately. Both directors will be very involved in the community through the many coalitions, task forces, networks and collaborations in which NELCWIT participates.

The administrative co-executive director will deal with issues like finance, fundraising and personnel — the business side of operations — as well as community relations, while the programming co-executive director will work with volunteers and staff to expand and oversee all direct services, like the crisis hotline, counseling, public education and more.

“Our board believes that the co-executive director model will provide strong leadership and support within the organization and the community,” Brown said. “We think shared responsibility is a more supportive model. We are excited to begin this next phase of NELCWIT’s long history of serving the survivors of sexual and domestic violence of Franklin County and the North Quabbin.”

Brown said the synergy of two executive directors will help NELCWIT thrive. She said the organization is doing well and was fortunate this year to receive increased funding from the state.

After adding new staff members recently, NELCWIT employs 14 full-time staff and one part-timer who serve both Franklin County and the North Quabbin region out of Orange.

The organization was founded in 1976 and is best known for its 24-hour crisis hotline (413-772-0806). It provides counseling, advocacy and education geared toward sexual and domestic violence. It also provides crisis intervention and a supervised visitation program.

NELCWIT offers scheduled and walk-in appointments Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 479 Main St. Services are offered in English and Spanish, and there is a multi-language interpreter program available for other language speakers. All survivor services are free.

For more information, call NELCWIT at 413-772-0871, email info@nelcwit.org or visit: nelcwit.org.

Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.