November is National Gratitude Month, which invites us to pause and take stock, and to shift our focus to that which we are thankful for.

I find gratitude to be an especially important practice during difficult times; it gives us the perspective to see the good that persists alongside hardship and helps us find meaning and motivation in even the most challenging moments. Gratitude fuels resilience, enabling us to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward. It’s a simple but powerful practice that not only lifts our spirits but can improve our health. Studies link regular gratitude practices to lower stress, better sleep, and stronger cardiovascular health. (The American Heart Association and CDC have great resources on how to build gratitude into your daily routine.)

I feel extremely fortunate to work at an organization and in a field where I see gratitude in practice every day. It shines through in the way we celebrate each other’s successes, lift each other up during challenges, offer help without being asked, and take time to acknowledge a job well done. It’s in the thoughtful check-ins, words of encouragement, and small gestures that remind us we’re part of a team that truly cares. At NACDD, gratitude is woven into how we work, lead, and serve.

This November also brings a renewed sense of optimism as we welcome back several of our colleagues from furlough and launch important projects. The temporary pause caused by funding delays and organizational changes tested us, but it also gave us time to reflect, refocus, and strengthen our foundation for what’s next. We are grateful for the resilience and patience of our staff and partners as we find our footing again and move forward with purpose.

Growth often follows challenges, and we are optimistic about the important work ahead.

As November is also National Diabetes Awareness Month, I’d like to highlight a partnership we are grateful for – the Diabetes MATCH Initiative at Emory Centers. Together, we recently completed another successful round of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) State Quality Specialist Training, which equips State Health Department staff with the skills and confidence to provide high-quality technical assistance to organizations implementing and scaling the National DPP lifestyle change program. This project is just one example of how collaboration can turn into lasting health improvement in communities across the country.

In addition, we are beyond grateful for our longstanding partnership with CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, through which NACDD has helped states strengthen their diabetes prevention and control programs. [Watch our recent General Member Webinar which shared how SHDs are supporting the sustainability of chronic disease focused Community Health Worker (CHW) programs and how the American Diabetes Association’s Eye Health Initiative (launched with Genentech) equips CHWs to prevent diabetes-related vision loss. Learn more about our diabetes work at chronicdisease.org/diabetes.]

As we enter the holiday season and the year-end rush, don’t forget to care for yourself—your well-being is at the heart of the work you do every day. I hope you take the opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments of joy and gratitude with your family, friends, and colleagues.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you—our Members, partners, and colleagues—for your dedication and perseverance this past year. And for your many words of encouragement and acts of support—they truly made a difference. As we look ahead, NACDD will remain focused, as always, on supporting you in your work, and on building sustainability so that we can continue delivering on our mission in 2026 and beyond. No matter the obstacles, we continue to move forward—finding strength in our mission and in one another.

With gratitude,

Jeanne