The findings are limited to a basic description of the families and significant differences between neglecting and nonneglecting families on selected variables, including risk scores, receipt of services, family history, and scores on standardized instruments. The family assessment specialists, along with the research team, have identified and interviewed families in each of four groups: Native American families that neglect their children, Native American families that do not neglect their children, and two groups of white families similarly characterized. To date, 140 families have been interviewed: 57 Native American families and 83 low-income white families. The families are from Tama County, Iowa, and an 11-county area in Oregon. Preliminary findings indicate a clear difference between the neglecting and nonneglecting families from both ethnic groups in risk of neglect as measured by the Alaska Risk Assessment instrument. There were several differences between the neglecting and nonneglecting families in family history, mental health, stressful life events, and receipt of services. There were differences in the groups of neglecting families and the patterns of neglect between the white sample and the Native American sample. 10 tables and 48 references