ROCKPORT — Spring is in the air, and with the change in season come some changes at Five Town Communities That Care. Several existing staff members will switch roles and a new staff person will be added. Dalene Dutton, the founding executive director, will assume the role of director of training. In this capacity, she will provide technical assistance to other communities that are beginning the process of establishing CTC in their area.

Mariah Smith-Dutton, current community coordinator, will assume the executive director's role. Alex Owre, now the director of development and communications, will focus on community outreach and education as director of communications, with the vacant development role expected to be filled by June.

Thom Ingraham, Math and Literacy Mentor Program coordinator, will continue in this role. Sheryl Whittier and Sandra Thomas, office manager and bookkeeper, respectively, will also continue in their current positions. Kay Stephens will return to assist with online content creation and editing, while Jaclynn Sagers will continue to provide training and technical assistance to other CTC Coalitions across the country.

There are changes afoot in the Five Town CTC Board of Directors, as well. Chairman Richard Strong and Board Treasurer Peter Russell have switched roles. Vice Chairman Lisa Ettinger maintains her role. Ken Gardener, Elaine Nutter, and the Rev. Adam Kohlstrom continue in their seats as members of the board.

"I am very excited to pass the Executive Directorship reins to Mariah,” said Dalene Dutton. “She has the skills and passion to excel in this role. All of our Five Town CTC staff members are talented and dedicated. The addition of another development professional will put the organization in a very strong position from a staffing standpoint.

"As the founding director, I am committed to ensuring that our coalition is successful. This shift in positions allows me to spend more time working directly with new coalitions across North and South America, and will leave Five Town CTC with strong, local staff leadership. I am very excited to see what the future brings for the coalition and the community."

"I feel very lucky to be presented with this opportunity to continue serving the Five Town community,” said Smith-Dutton. “This coalition has made some incredible progress in decreasing rates of problem behaviors over the past 11 years, an accomplishment worth celebrating. But there is still important work left to be done. I'm excited to support this amazing group of community youth advocates as we continue to cooperate, collaborate, and think outside the box in an effort to create the best environment possible for our young people."

New board chairman Peter Russell said:  "I am full of positive energy about the future of Five Town Communities That Care and our ongoing efforts to create a protective and healthy environment for this community."

The Five Town Communities That Care Coalition works to promote healthy youth development and to prevent problem adolescent behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, delinquency, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, and suicide. For more information, visit fivetownctc.org or call 236-9800.