Many volunteer programs are being managed and operational and many Indian center social service projects are dedicated to gatherings of every size and around all issues listed above. As American Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts incorporate an extended family approach to child-related growth and safety, many families feel the loss of cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, grandparents, godparents and other tribal members left behind. Cultural and spiritual support must be rediscovered in an urban setting. This is one of the factors in becoming involved in the County social service system, and other systems. American Indian world view provides a value system, or systems.
Many tribes refer to infants and children as sacred beings.
All these areas must be addressed when working with these children and their families. Most of the informal networks listed incorporate and respect this view. Children's Planning Council, Department of Public Social Services , Department of Mental Health , Department of Probation , and Family Preservation and Family Support will make a worthwhile investment upon studying statistics in the County which define this broad-based, widely disbursed group. Especially if the County of Los Angeles and other Counties in the State of California are implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act. Interviews, both written and verbal - support implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act and endorse all efforts for the County Departments to work within the intent of the legislation.