Contrasting the differences between a non-Indian child abuse/neglect center with an Indian model, this report highlights the qualities of the Urban Indian Child Resource Center (CRC) in Oakland, California. The non-Indian concept of the cause of child abuse/neglect, based on the abused/neglected childhood of the parent, is compared to the Indian concept of the cause as being institutional abuse, defined as social institutions in one culture abusing whole segments or classes of persons in another society. Based on the Indian idea of family, CRC's structure includes the normal positions, but also the Family Support Network, licensed foster placements; Homemakers, Indian women providing important links between CRC and the Indian community; and Family Representatives, Indians with formal training as mental health workers. Clients come from many tribal backgrounds and have large families, but few financial and emotional resources. Activities of staff members, mainly intervention and prevention, are detailed along with examples and composite case histories. Six tables show the success rate to be 61.3%. Brief comparisons are made between CRC and four other Indian centers. Concluding the report are seven recommendations, the first of which "cannot be overemphasized". Control of Indian programs must be in the hands of Indians. (AN)