Yakima K. Black, MS

Faculty

Yakima Black is the President & CEO of the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) which is the State Assistive Technology Program for Louisiana and is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Ms. Black has a master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. For nearly 25 years, Ms. Black has served as chief executive of non-profit organizations funded and regulated by the U.S. Health & Human Services Health Resource and Service Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Center for Mental Health Services. In earlier years, she's been appointed to both Republican and Democrat Louisiana Governor's health transition teams and commissions charged with improving the quality and scope of healthcare in Louisiana. With an extensive background in federal and state compliance regulations, administrative and financial management, and continuous quality assurance and improvement, Ms. Black has led LATAN through national accreditation supporting adherence to Medicare and Medicaid regulations, as well as successful compliance with commercial payors for enrollment as durable medical equipment (DME) provider. As CEO of LATAN, Ms. Black develops, implements, and monitors strategic initiatives, programs and services that support the mission of LATAN, as well as state and federal requirements. Within the Department of Rehabilitation Services and Disability Studies at Southern University and A & M College, she is an adjunct faculty member providing primary course instruction in the Applications of Assistive Technology (AT). Further, Ms. Black was recently appointed to the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council. Perhaps most importantly and most gratifying, she's an advocate and family member of a group of diverse individuals of all ages living with disabilities and physical limitations.