Richie Torres – EdLaw Social Service Advocate
Richie Torres, LCSW, is a Social Service Advocate at the EdLaw Project within the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). With a background in both special education and social work, Richie brings a unique and holistic approach to educational advocacy. Prior to joining the EdLaw Project in April 2024, he spent six years as a special education teacher at the New England Center for Children, working directly with students with diverse behavioral and learning needs. In his role at EdLaw, Richie provides direct educational advocacy to support clients in achieving self-efficacy and long-term success while fostering communal sustainability. He also serves as the CPCS partner principal for the Rosie D. Preservation Project, spearheaded by Center for Public Representation (CPR), where he submits quarterly reports on challenges CPCS clients face within the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI), aiming to uphold the program’s integrity and address systemic barriers. Additionally, Richie is the Project Manager of VOICES (Voices of Impacted Communities Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline), an initiative that creates a platform for young people and parents affected by the school-to-prison pipeline to identify systemic challenges, advocate for change, and build a supportive community. Richie earned his Master of Social Work from Boston College School of Social Work in 2022.