The Atrómitos Way

Signed on July 4, 2025, H.R.1 cut roughly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid spending over ten years, in the largest restructuring of Medicaid financing in a generation. Because Medicaid funds about a quarter of all U.S. mental health and substance use treatment, the cuts fall disproportionately on behavioral health. Almost one year after its signing, Michealle Gady sat down with Joan Miller to discu...

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re rebroadcasting one of the most popular episodes of The Atrómitos Way Podcast. Back in May of 2024, we sat down with Sharon Stultz, a dedicated educator and mental health professional with over 30 years of experience, to discuss the science behind mental health and effective therapeutic interventions. Key Takeaways Trauma brain explained. How d...

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is the largest federal investment in rural health in a generation: $50 billion over five years, distributed to all 50 states. Washington State received $181 million in year-one funding, with $5.43 million designated for The Rural Collaborative .  In this conversation, Michealle Gady sits down with The Rural Collaborative Executive Director, Elya Pryst...

Healthcare often focuses on clinical symptoms and medical treatments, while many patients lack essential support for non-medical factors which greatly affect health outcomes. Social care networks aim to connect healthcare providers with community-based organizations to address the social determinants of health, such as housing stability, food security, transportation, and access to medical care. F...

In part one of this conversation, our panel of experts discussed legal, regulatory, and financial concerns during transitions in the nonprofit sector. Today, on part two, the discussion shifts towards organizational culture and communication. Michealle Gady , Founder, President & CEO of Atrómitos, LLC, has more than 20 years of experience helping health and human service providers, government...

With many nonprofits facing existential threats due to revenue loss, federal funding freezes, and policy shifts, organizations are forced to operate on reserves while waiting for clarity that may never come. Now more than ever, it is crucial that nonprofits reframe their views on mergers and acquisitions—as well as the many alternatives. On today’s episode, Atrómitos president, founder, and CEO Mi...

In 2024, the Department of Commerce contracted with Atrómitos to answer a critical question: are the contracting structures in Washington state sustainable for human service providers? The findings of that nine-month study are sobering, and today’s episode of the Atrómitos Way is a deep dive into not just the contents of the report, but the wider implications for communities and a potential path f...

Today’s episode is the second in a two-part conversation with Atrómitos president, founder, and CEO Michealle Gady and legal intern Devon Cavaliere. Together with Communications Director Monette Goodrich, they delve into strategic responses nonprofit organizations can enact in the current political and funding landscape. They discuss the importance of financial independence, the urgency of diversi...

Between the federal funding freeze initiated by the Trump administration in January, the Supreme Court’s ruling in the CASA case in June, and the 119th Congress passing the Rescissions Act in July, 2025 has been a chaotic year for nonprofits—especially those who depend largely on federal funding.  Today’s episode is the first in a two-part conversation with Atrómitos president, founder, and CEO Mi...

Major policy shifts at the federal and state levels will affect every nonprofit, including health and human service providers across the country. Today, Atrómitos Founder, President & CEO Michealle Gady is joined by Ivan Canada, President & CEO of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. Together, they discuss the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and innovation in order to...

As food assistance programs see their federal funding slashed, food banks across the country struggle to meet rising demands. These cuts, in tandem with rising costs, have occurred as food insecurity reaches its highest point in almost a decade. Navigating this shifting landscape in order to serve their communities, nonprofits like the Sumner Community Food Bank in Washington state have had to dev...

Trump administration officials have been removing public health information from federal agency web pages causing concern among public health professionals who rely on this data for public health policy development and program planning and evaluation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) websites, among others, have erased or significantl...

Since January of 2025 organizations like Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) have faced numerous legal and financial challenges in the wake of recent federal policy changes. Atrómitos Communications Director, Monette Goodrich, and IRIS Executive Director, Maggie Mitchell Salem, discuss the origins of the organization, the support it provides refugees integrating into their new homes,...

Tens of millions of low-income and disabled Americans – including children and the elderly could lose health insurance coverage if Congress cuts Medicaid funding and changes work requirements. Atrómitos’ Founder, President, and CEO Michealle Gady and Health Policy Consultant, Kat Latet, discuss Medicaid’s far-reaching role in keeping both our country’s most vulnerable people and our overall econom...

In this reflective episode of The Atrómitos Way Podcast , producer  Liz Church explores the challenges of 2024 and the power of collective action. Atrómitos Knowledge Hub Promo -- This podcast is a production of Atrómitos, a woman-owned boutique consulting firm creating a better way for our health and human services provider clients to achieve their goals by strengthening internal operations, enha...

Since 1981, Lambert House has been a vital lifeline for young people facing mental health challenges, loneliness, and societal pressures. Brandon Knox , Program Director of Lambert House, explores the center’s pioneering role in supporting LGBTQ youth in Seattle, Washington. He discusses the importance of community support networks, innovative programs addressing barriers like geographical isolati...

Michelle Voegtle , a licensed professional counselor, explores the integration of technology in behavioral health and the importance of personalized recovery approaches. She discusses challenges in traditional treatment methods and how innovative practices, including integrative wellness strategies, can empower both clinicians and patients. The conversation highlights the balance between human con...

Miss Jai Smith discusses Project 2025's implications for bodily autonomy, particularly its impact on the LGBTQ+ community and reproductive health. She explores the erosion of gender-affirming care, the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and the importance of community support and advocacy. The conversation highlights the need for resilience and actionable steps to protect bodily autono...

Dasaya Cates discusses the complexities of parenting a child with Down syndrome, emphasizing early diagnosis, informed healthcare, and the challenges of inclusive childcare. She explores the stigma surrounding Down syndrome, the importance of person-first language, and the necessity of self-care for parents. The conversation highlights the evolving understanding of Down syndrome and the crucial ro...

For the last episode of our Worried, Tired, Frustrated series, host Liz Church closes this segment with a piece written by Alaina Kennedy . She shares her personal experience with a family member navigating the broken system. She explains how the U.S. mental health system fails due to underfunding, fragmented care, and insufficient providers, leaving families struggling. Atrómitos Knowledge Hub Pr...

In this powerful third episode of the Worried, Tired, Frustrated series, host Liz Church takes a deep dive into her article about Project 2025 , a 922-page ultra-conservative playbook aimed at reshaping America’s future. The episode uncovers the dangerous implications this agenda has for civil liberties, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ communities, and the nation’s healthcare system. Atrómitos...

In the second of our four-part series by Atrómitos, Worried Tired Frustrated , Liz Church reads Kate McNulty’s reflection on both historical and modern-day struggles; this article delves into the erosion of personal freedoms, the dangers of authoritarianism, and how societal challenges may lead In us In down dangerous paths if we’re not careful. Atrómitos Resources Kate's WTF Article: It&apos...

The first a four-part series by Atrómitos, Worried Tired Frustrated , Liz Church reads a powerful piece by Amanda Rodgers about the harsh impact of Idaho's extreme abortion ban. From healthcare disruptions to economic consequences, the episode highlights how Idaho's experience serves as a warning for the rest of the nation. Atrómitos Resources Amanda's WTF article: The Impact of Ida...

Getting to know another team member of Atrómitos , Amanda Rodgers, MPH , shares her journey into public health and how her experiences in Idaho's challenging political and healthcare landscape have shaped her understanding of the field. Despite working in a system that often hampers progress, Amanda chose to stay in Idaho, driven by a passion to make a difference in her home state. Amanda dis...

Local health departments face resource shortages, restrictive funding, and outdated health records, fostering a scarcity mindset among leaders—challenges worsened post-pandemic. With ARP funding, Tiffany Erichsen has focused on workforce development, leadership training, and fostering collaboration among rural health educators. Her work emphasizes strategic planning, community building, and region...