The 4th annual Gala to support the Dr. Leon O. Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and consultation

Friday Evening , May 2, 2008 | 6:00 - 11:00pm

At the Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA

The evening will feature dinner, awards, silent auction and dancing. The goal of the event is to raise $100,000 for the Dr. Leon O. Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation.

One child out of five has a diagnosable mental disorder and one in ten youth have serious mental problems that are severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community. Unfortunately, 75 to 80 percent of these children and youth in need of mental health services do not receive them. This is particularly true for those in need of psychological and neuropsychological testing and assessment (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health 2003).

Within the current healthcare delivery system, psychological and neuropsychological assessment services often warrant “endangered species” status. Reimbursement complexities and training shortages limit the availability of competent psychological assessment—particularly for under-served individuals and communities. Further, in the current climate of healthcare expediency, many psychological training programs are unable to provide testing opportunities, let alone the careful guidance needed to mentor the next generation of clinicians in this important area.

The Brenner Center’s goal has been to create a state of the art evaluation and assessment center that is capable of providing comprehensive, integrated testing services to individuals, families, and institutions. We are succeeding. Operating within a framework that acknowledges and respects diversity in all forms, the Center is particularly proud of its commitment to underserved populations across the life span. In the past academic year, the Center has completed 68 low-cost and no cost evaluations, conducted in English, Spanish, and French.

Ways you can support the gala:

• Attend and purchase a ticket or entire table (2008 Gala Reservation Form)
• Purchase advertising space or submit a well-wish greeting in the Gala program book (Program Advertising Information & Reply Form)
• Learn more about our Silent Auction and bid on an item in advance.
• Participate in one of our Corporate Sponsorships (Corporate Sponsorship Information & Reply Form)

About the Dr. Leon O. Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation

Dr. Leon O. Brenner was an MSPP Founder and Faculty Member who dedicated his career to community service and clinical training. In addition to his teaching, administrative work and psychotherapy practice, Dr. Brenner had a special passion for psychological assessments. He saw the value of this service to schools, families, courts and working people as well as its central place in training sophisticated clinicians. The Dr. Leon O. Brenner Center preserves his commitment to training and the availability of expert psychological consultation to those in need. The Brenner Center donated $28,000 worth of pro bono assessments to the community in 2007.

For more information, please contact Mahala Evans at 617-327-6777 x217 or email mahala_evans@mspp.edu

Updated 2/25/08