Orange County approves full-time case manager post, confirms new director of Office for the Aging

The Orange County Legislature approved the creation of one full-time case manager (Aging, Grade 14) and unanimously confirmed Daniel Dana Smith as director of the Office for the Aging, effective Feb. 1, 2025.

Ann Marie Maguire, director of operations, told the panel the state is requiring “more and more recording” for New York Connects and the office has relied on a part-time case manager who is not always available. “When she’s not there, it seems to be when everything kind of blows up. So having somebody there that has continuity is able to do the additional reporting is very important,” Maguire said. She added the county will freeze — but not eliminate — the existing part-time case manager position and that the state will cover 75% of the new full-time position’s cost.

The appointment of Daniel Dana Smith was presented by county staff and sent to the Legislature for confirmation. The legislative record shows one motion and a second before members voted “Aye” to confirm Smith. The appointment was announced to begin Feb. 1, 2025.

Maguire and other speakers said the change is meant to provide continuity for New York Connects, the county’s single point of entry for aging services, and to meet growing state reporting requirements. When asked whether the part-time position would be gone permanently, Maguire said the county will keep the title on the books but not fund it unless circumstances change.

Maguire announced her retirement during the same meeting and thanked the committee for its support; members offered congratulations. The Legislature’s actions advance the staffing changes and place the new director’s appointment on the county personnel rolls for the February start date.

The formal votes on the staffing creation and director confirmation were recorded as motions with a second and passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided in the transcript.

Looking ahead, staff said the office will proceed to fill the new full-time position under county hiring rules and will track whether the frozen part-time post needs reinstatement in future budget cycles.