What is the difference between 2-1-1 Maine and the DASH network?

A frequent question asked of DASH coalition members and staff, we wanted to share a simple outline of the key differences between 2-1-1 Maine and DASH. For further information contact, Val Sauda, Director of Community Services at Eastern Area Agency on Aging, home of the DASH network at 1-800-432-7812.:

2-1-1 Maine is anonymous.  Anyone can call 2-1-1 Maine regardless of age, or demographic. 

                DASH is designed for seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities and the program is a service requiring some information be collected including birth date, telephone number and in some cases, program eligibility for programs like MaineCare or Medicare. DASH is useful if you need short term case management assistance or multiple needs and need help navigating the different systems.

2-1-1 Maine gives resource information -where to go to get a service.

                DASH is designed to give information about community long term care support services available to seniors, caregivers, and people with disabilities to help increase their ability to live in the community. 

2-1-1 Maine is good if you are looking for a resource when in a crisis-they have skilled staff and resources to help with mental health to emergency preparedness like floods. Although they do not provide a crisis service, they are prepared to connect you to your local crisis service.

                DASH is not a crisis service.  DASH is not designed to help manage a person who may be suicidal or have mental health crisis.  DASH can be helpful to seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities who are experiencing a "crisis" of living such as a housing or transportation issue, food or fuel crisis or need assistance with planning of what to do in a personal financial crisis.

2-1-1 Maine is the resource database of choice for the DASH network.

                DASH fully supports 2-1-1 Maine as the best source of information about statewide, local and regional social service resources for people living in Maine.  2-1-1 Maine is a collaborative partner of the DASH network-DASH staff regularly share updated resource information with 2-1-1 Maine and use 2-1-1 Maine as a primary database when working with consumers.