Our Values

  • Measurement Transparency – AOS Members are committed to sharing/making our measurements transparent and shareable to all AOS members and citizens in a common file format.
 
  •  Uniting Local Public Health – The AOS Board and our members are committed to supporting and strengthening all State Health Departments, State Associations (SACCHOs), and other National Associations like ASTHO, CSTE, APHA, SOPHE, PHAB, NACCHO and more. We look for ways in which the AOS Measurement Library can strengthen our collective work and support their individual organizations. We understand these organizations are a strong voice for Local Public Health at the State and National Levels and they will need better support and technical assistance for Local Public Health measurements now and into the future.
 
  • Technology Independence – AOS members are committed to using the best of technology for data collection while also safeguarding against technology practices that would silo our scientific and collaborative work
  • Stewards of the Measurements – We understand we are stewards, not owners of these measurements and they must be passed down better than we received them.
  • Data Ownership / Sovereignty – AOS Members will protect Health Department data ownership and their rights to Data Sovereignty.
  • Scientific Debate/Disagreement – AOS Members will foster a safe place for Scientific debate and disagreement of measurement
  • Measurement Simplicity – AOS Members are committed to developing measurements that can be understood by lay leaders, citizens, and groups. We strive to use measurements in their simplest form.
  • Reduce Measurement Duplication – AOS Members strive to reduce the overall number of duplicate measurements that exist in Local Health Departments. Our goal is to speak a common measurement language
  • Measurement Acceptance and Adoption – AOS Members understand that measurement standardization only gains strength and meaning by having it be accepted by our peers and shared across AOS members. All members should take seriously their role in evaluating all submitted measurements.
  • Every Health Department Matters – AOS Members strive to unify the LHD Measurement community by welcoming and inviting all Health Departments to participate in the development of scientific measures.
  • Public Procurement Excellence – AOS Members will follow the guidelines set forth by the National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP) in the procurement of all goods and Services.  Currently the AOS Board is advised by Marcheta E. Gillespie, FNIGP, CPPO, C.P.M., CPPB, CPM MG Procurement Consulting, LLC   NIGP Consulting Program Manager.
  • United We Succeed – AOS Members understand that we are only successful if we speak a common measurement language and work together to discuss best practices for measurement.
  • Change Agents – AOS members are committed to confronting our biases and operationalizing our values. We realize intention alone is not sufficient. We strive to constantly challenge ourselves to deconstruct frameworks and measurement practices that sustained oppression.