Rick Christiansen, director of Community Entry Services, told commissioners and councilors April 28 that the organization is seeking local support to retain frontline staff and that it is pursuing an employee housing project near its group homes.

"We provide encompassing services to adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities here in the Valley," Christiansen said, noting the nonprofit has operated for about 50 years. He described services that start after participants leave high school and often continue across a lifetime.

Christiansen said Community Entry Services is in pre‑permitting for a housing project on East Kelly: plans call for four one‑bedroom apartments on the alley side of an existing group‑home property; the units will house staff and some residents and some beds may be offered back to the Human Services Council when not needed by staff.

On funding, Christiansen said the state reimburses services at rates that do not cover local living‑wage costs and that Community Entry Services has not raised salaries for more than three years. The organization requested increased support to help retain direct‑service employees who face competing offers from local employers.

Ending: Commissioners and councilors thanked Christiansen for the update and expressed appreciation for the program’s long presence in the valley; the organization will continue coordinating with county and town staff on permitting and funding.