Free legal consultations will be available at the sixth annual Bluegrass Regional Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference, which is set for Thursday March 20.

    Experts in their field will lead workshops, and the Resource Fair tables will be packed with take-home information. Among the topics: adoption and custody, recognizing the signs of substance abuse, stress relief and nutrition on a budget.

    The day also will provide an opportunity to meet and share ideas and concerns with professionals and other grandparents and relatives who are caring for children.

    The conference will run 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn North, 1950 Newtown Pike (exit 115). The fee is $5 for grandparents/relatives and $30 for professionals; a light breakfast and lunch are included. The consultation sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis (you also need to send in the request form with your registration). 

    The registration deadline is March 17. For more information, call (859) 257-5582.

  Online resource: GAP (Grandparents and relatives As Parents) www.gapofky.org

    Conference sponsors include Access to Justice Foundation, Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging, LFUCG Lexington Senior Citizens Center, Johnson Elementary Family Resource Center, Linlee/Meadowthorpe Family Resource Center, Deep Springs Elementary Family Resource Center, Fayette County Cooperative Extension Office, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Carl Devine, Miller, Griffin & Marks, PSC; Melinda Earlywine, Martha Sparks, Cynthia Bryant, Rita Hardman, Dory Marken, Holly Salisbury and Eddy Thompson.

    View the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren brochure and registration form.