The present state of American Indian child welfare was investigated via: a review of published and unpublished literature; an analysis of legislation, regulations, and other documents dealing with Federal and State Indian child welfare; field interviews at 19 sites; case studies of programs; and a mail survey focusing on graduate social work programs. Major barriers to the full provision of Indian child welfare services were identified as failure to: understand tribal cultures; recognize the special legal and cultural factors that arise in providing services to Indians; involve Indians in child welfare matters as foster and adoptive parents, as administrators and staff, or as advisory board members; foster programs operated by tribal governments. Major recommendations were: the Federal government should support the operation of child welfare programs by tribal governments and Indian organizations (capacity building activities, tribal courts/codes, and direct or state-Federal-tribal funding); adoptive and foster care placements of Indian children should include increased involvement by tribal governments and Indian-run agencies and increased efforts to place children in Indian homes; child welfare services should respect and consider the cultural background of both the child and parent; more preventive and supportive services are needed; and the Bureau of Indian Affairs' boarding schools need to include more child welfare services. (JC)