DHH Announces New Assistant Secretary for the Office of Aging and Adult Services

Friday, November 21, 2014  |  Contact: Olivia Watkins; (225) 610-8660, olivia.w@la.gov

Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced today the appointment of Tara LeBlanc as the Assistant Secretary for the Department's Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS). LeBlanc previously served as the Department's Budget Director and most recently as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for OAAS.

"Tara LeBlanc has been an instrumental member of the Department's leadership team for more than four years and has excelled at assisting the Department in meeting its programmatic goals," said DHH Secretary Kathy H. Kliebert. "I am grateful that she accepted the challenge of leading the Office of Aging and Adult Services as we prepare for the critical move to managed long-term supports and services for individuals who are aging and individuals who have adult-onset disabilities."

LeBlanc's experience managing the Department's budget alongside executive leadership gave her wide exposure to the programmatic needs and opportunities within OAAS. Her appointment follows the retirement of former OAAS Assistant Secretary Hugh Eley in Sept. 2014.

OAAS is responsible for the coordination of long-term care programs that serve aging adults and people with adult-onset disabilities. These include Medicaid home and community-based long-term care programs, such as the Community Choices Waiver, Adult Day Health Care Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care program and PACE.

The Office of Aging and Adult Services will also administer nursing facility admissions and develop new long-term care programs, as well as implementing other health care reform recommendations. LeBlanc's office also manages the operations of Villa Feliciana Medical Complex, John J. Hainkel Jr. Home and Rehab Center, and Adult Protective Services.

LeBlanc joined the Department in 2010 following more than 10 years of public service with the Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division, Louisiana Technical College, River Parishes Community College, and the State's Uniform Payroll System. LeBlanc received her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of the National Association of State Human Finance Officers. LeBlanc is a Louisiana-native, married to Kerwin LeBlanc with whom she has two daughters, Callie and Camille.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's Twitter account and Facebook.

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