Association for Stranded Rural Alaskans
The Association of Stranded Rural Alaskans in Anchorage has been in existence for over thirty years. ASRAA provides emergency assistance to rural Alaskans who are temporarily in Anchorage receiving medical treatment. LSSA has assisted with emergency transportation, housing and food.
In 1991, ASRAA and another long-time assistance program, Native Outreach Ministry, were merged with Lutheran Social Services of Alaska into one agency. ASRAA’s transportation and housing assistance has been focused exclusively on individuals who have medical situation that require treatment in Anchorage. Recently, we have started to assist individuals who have completed a drug or alcohol treatment program to return home.
LSSA has been partnering with the VA Hospital of Alaska in care coordination of VA clients in need of temporary housing as second party facilitator. This collaborative effect provides effective and efficient service to our veterans.
LSSA works in conjunction with the social service agencies within the hospitals and treatment centers. We ask that the social workers be proactive in verifying the person’s medical information and to take a few steps for the screening process with these questions;
- What are the medical circumstances that brought them to Anchorage and how long have they been here?
- What resources does the patient have access to (Tribal councils, insurance, credit cards, family or friends)?
- Is the environment that they want to return to healthy and safe?
ASRAA service is a once in a lifetime service unless the service is paid back in full. We look forward to assisting those in a time of need and working with our partners to promote wellness in Alaska