Five Keys Housing Services

Five Keys offers a comprehensive, trauma-informed practicum environment where students are integrated into the "heartbeat" of our supportive housing and shelter programs. Our practicum is designed to prepare students for professional social work practice by providing hands-on experience with traditionally underserved and system-impacted populations, including individuals navigating the criminal justice system and those experiencing housing insecurity.

The ideal student for a Five Keys practicum placement will thrive in a fast-paced, low-barrier environment that values flexibility and a dynamic learning mindset. We are looking for students who:
Demonstrate High Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness: Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while approaching vulnerable populations with patience, compassion, and a trauma-informed lens.
Navigate Ambiguity & Pressure: Comfortable dealing with unpredictable settings where daily tasks may shift rapidly; able to remain solution-oriented and calm when working under pressure.
Proactive Communication & Collaboration: A strong willingness to ask questions, seek clarification, and collaborate across teams. Students should feel comfortable initiating difficult conversations and working within a non-hierarchical, inclusive team structure.
Cultural Humility: A commitment to social and restorative justice and the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness and those involved with the justice system.
Growth-Oriented: A drive to translate social work theory into real-world practice, with the maturity to recognize when to ask for supervision or guidance in complex, high-needs environments.

Students placed at Five Keys will have the opportunity to develop the following professional skills and competencies:
Case Management & Advocacy: Students will gain proficiency in conducting client intakes, developing and implementing individualized service plans, performing wellness checks, and advocating on behalf of participants to access critical community resources (e.g., medical, mental health, and benefit navigation).
Housing First & Harm Reduction: Students will learn to apply a non-judgmental, client-centered approach that prioritizes Housing First principles and harm reduction, helping participants build trust and maintain stability in dynamic, real-world settings.
Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Students will build high emotional intelligence by assessing and responding to diverse, unpredictable situations, learning effective conflict intervention and trauma-informed communication strategies.
Systems Navigation & Data Management: Students will gain technical experience maintaining accurate charting in databases like HMIS and will learn to navigate the complexities of Coordinated Entry Systems, collaborating with county and nonprofit partners to facilitate permanent housing pathways.
Professional Ethics & Collaboration: Students will participate in a team-oriented environment that emphasizes restorative justice. Through attendance at case conferencing and coalition meetings, they will see how social work theory is translated into practice and how to maintain professional boundaries in high-needs environments.
Our agency provides a unique, low-barrier, and flexible service model that challenges students to apply social work ethics, professional theory, and evidence-based practices (CBI, Motivational Interviewing) in a fast-paced, impactful setting. We are committed to supporting student growth through consistent supervision and mentorship from our experienced clinical and housing staff.