In Movement: 7 Questions with Julie Evans | Alliance for Children CEO | Tarrant County, Texas
February 11, 2026
Welcome to In Movement! In this segment of our blog, we interview thought leaders from within our own organizations – from CACs and MDTs and partner agencies – to gain insight into how they have furthered the movement, and how the movement has changed them. We look forward to benefiting from the lessons they’ve learned, the challenges they’ve faced, and the future they envision for themselves, our centers and teams, and the children and families we serve.
When you speak with Julie Evans, it doesn’t take long for her to break into a smile as big as Texas itself. Evans is the CEO of Alliance for Children, which is comprised of three Children’s Advocacy Centers serving Tarrant County, Texas. Her dedication to protecting children, and to the CAC movement itself, are immediately apparent, both through her responses and through the warmth and kindness that emanate from her – even through the small screens of a Zoom meeting. We can all learn from her experience and expertise.
Why did you choose this as a career?
I started my career as a CPS investigator – and I loved it. I found it challenging, eye-opening, terrifying at times, and deeply heartening.
I learned about the realities of the world, and it made me want to do more to help those who need it.
I was with CPS for six years, and for three of those, I was co-located in a CAC and worked with the MDT on the most severe cases. Throughout those years, I was consistently blown away by the team, and by their thoughtfulness, creativity, and camaraderie. And because I understood, on a deep level, the benefits of a CAC and of the MDT model, it was an easy transition for me to come to work for the Alliance for Children. And I would be remiss if I didn’t also say that I had the privilege of working with Nancy Hagan, who is the “Founding Mother,” as it were, of the CAC movement in Texas. So I learned from the best! That was 20 years ago, and I am still as enthusiastic about the work and the organization as I was two decades ago.
What is something interesting that you have learned recently?
The lesson that I keep learning as I do this work is that we never stop learning – and that is the beauty of the CAC movement. The people who work in it are always moving forward with new ideas, innovations, and research, and there is a generosity of spirit that runs throughout. There is so much sharing and collaboration, not only of ideas and processes and systems that work, but also of those that don’t. We help each other avoid the pitfalls, and we share our successes. I think that’s what has enabled this movement to progress the way it has in such a relatively short time.
What is a challenge that you and your colleagues feel proud of solving?
We just had our senior leadership team meeting, so I posed this question to our team – their responses were great! They named a range of accomplishments – from overcoming space issues so our team could grow to doing a deep dive on data. The use of data has really revolutionized our work, even in ways we didn’t anticipate. For instance, what were formerly difficult conversations with MDT members are now easier – because they are grounded in data, not speculation.
And we’ve made huge advances in technology. We recently opened an onsite digital forensics lab in one of our three centers. We now have access to information in real time so we can make safety plans and decisions based on those results. Now the challenge is in figuring out how to replicate that in our other two centers!
What about your work inspires you and keeps you going?
This is an easy one! What inspires me and keeps me going every day is our team and our staff. The MDT model is so powerful and meaningful, and ours is a collection of the most amazing people. They truly show up for kids, in every way possible. Recently, I celebrated my 20th anniversary here, and the chiefs of police each gave me a badge from every law enforcement agency with whom we partner. To me, that symbolizes a level of trust they have in our organization and our team, and I think it’s true of all our team members – that’s what makes it so effective, and so inspirational.
What is the biggest need for kids you think we can meet in the next 5 years?
I don’t know if this is true outside of Texas, but in our state, the scope of CPS investigations is being narrowed. This is happening at a legislative level, and it has a significant impact on policy and practice. So the challenge for us, as a team and an MDT model, is to shift to more cases not having the traditional child protection involvement and consider implications to the criminal investigation response. We want to make sure that we’re staying ahead of these changes, and we want to make sure that we’re shifting our practices in such a way that we continue and strive to reach every child who needs our services.
What do you think the ideal future looks like for kids?
Doesn’t everyone have the same answer for this question? The ideal future is one without abuse and without crimes against children – where children can grow up in safe, loving, and joyous homes. And joy is so important, as is hope for our kids. My joy comes from the incredible leaders in the CAC movement, whose vision and work bring us closer to achieving this every day.
Finally, what is next for you?
Professionally, there is so much I want to do! And personally, I’m headed into a year of firsts and lasts – my younger child is a rising senior in high school, so he’ll be headed off to college shortly, and we’ll be navigating a whole new world. It’s bittersweet for me – I’m excited for him, sad for me, and also looking forward to discovering life as empty nesters!
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