Robin Koralek

Robin Koralek is a seasoned evaluator and project director with over 30 years of experience in evaluating federal and state social welfare programs. Her expertise spans areas such as food assistance, employment and training cash assistance, and barriers to employment, including for those recovering from substance use disorders. She has worked with various governmental and non-profit organizations, focusing on program design, implementation, and outcomes.

In her current role, Robin aligns Abt’s expertise with client priorities and plays a pivotal role in fostering partnerships.

In her previous roles, Robin has spearheaded numerous projects, such as the Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption, where she led an integrity evaluation of online purchasing pilots. Her work as Project Director on multiple projects in Abt’s Health Profession Opportunity Grants evaluation portfolio, helped build evidence on career pathways for Americans with low incomes.

Expertise

• Program Evaluation
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Social Welfare Programs
• Food Assistance
• Employment and Training
• Benefits Access and Services Integration

Key Projects

• Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption
• National Evaluation of the 2^nd Generation of Health Profession Opportunity Grants
• Building Evidence on Employment Strategies for Low-Income Families
• Sectoral Strategies and Employer Engagement Portfolio
• Recovery and Reunification Interventions for Families-Impact Study

Publications

• Koralek, Robin, Hannah Engle, Chelsea Jackson, and Hannah Pico (2024). Providing Employment Services to Individuals in Recovery: Lessons from Addiction Recovery Care. OPRE Report 2024-089. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Jacob Alex Klerman, David Ross Judkins, Sarah Prenovitz, and Robin Koralek (2023). Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG 2.0) Intermediate-Term Impact Report. OPRE Report 2023-201. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Mendelson, M., Enver, A., Hitchcock, S., Koralek, R., Elmudesi, E., Klerman, J., and Olsho, L. (2023). Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption Through Online Transactions. Final Evaluation Report. Prepared by Abt Associates. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
• Roy, Radha, Koralek, R., Mowry, N., and Roessel, E. Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG 2.0) National Evaluation Implementation Study Report: National and Tribal Evaluation of the 2nd Generation of Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG 2.0), OPRE Report 2022-237, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. November 2022.
• Werner, A., Schwartz, D., Koralek, R., Loprest, P., and Sick, N. Final Report: National Implementation Evaluation of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) to Serve TANF Recipients and Other Low-Income Individuals. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. January 2018.