A new study will reveal the financial hardships suffered by so-called kinship carers across the Dumfries and Galloway area.
Kinship carers are thought to be under great financial pressure
The carers are often grandparents or other family members who take over the long-term care of children.
The Scottish Executive has already provided a regional grant of £47,000 to assist carers.
Grant assessment days will also be held at towns across the south-west, starting in Stranraer on 17 April.