SHERIDAN -- The statistics are overwhelming.

For years the national divorce rate has fluctuated between 45 and 50 percent, on the source. Wyoming's divorce rate is 44 percent higher than the national average, according to a national vital statistics report.

Many of these separations involve children. In 2003 alone, nearly 2,500 Wyoming children were directly affected by their parents' divorces.

Cori Erickson sees these statistics, and wants to help Wyoming families understand and work through the travails of divorce. In the fall of 1998, Erickson, who lives in Sheridan, started a nonprofit organization called the Wyoming Children's Access Network.

"Our goal is to unite parents, and create strong families with resilient children," Erickson said.

Too often, Erickson said, parents enter into divorce proceedings essentially at war with each other. They can be so consumed with their grief, anger and guilt over the breakup of the marriage that their children's best interests may not be considered.

"Research shows that the conflict (between the parents) is more detrimental to the kids than the divorce," Erickson said.

Through parenting education seminars and a mediation program, WyCan strives to help reduce the conflict and focus on children.

"With our parent education seminar, we want to open parents' eyes," Erickson said. The four-hour seminar can seem overwhelming to some people, she said, but seminar handbooks and follow-up services are when needed.

As many as 75 percent of the parents who attend separate seminars, Erickson said, are ordered to do so by judges. As a result, some parents show up to the seminar angry about being there. Few stay that way, she said.

"Within an hour, almost everyone has shifted in their demeanor ... Their arms aren't crossed, they're listening, and they're engaged."

Kristen Cogswell, a Sheridan attorney who specializes in family law, is impressed with the program's results.

"The program is nothing but fantastic," she said. Whenever her clients have a custody agreement issue, she strongly urges that they attend the WyCAN seminar.

Starting on a shoestring

Erickson hasn't forgotten WyCAN's humble beginnings. Through research she conducted during her own divorce, Erickson learned that the Cowboy State was lacking when it came to providing services to families struggling through divorce or separation.

A friend told Erickson about the availability of a $50,000 grant, which she eventually secured for the program.

"It was crazy," she said. "I had $50,000, but not a paper clip to my name."

She threw herself into work out of a small Sheridan office, studying family services, mediation, custody and parenting plans.

"If I get involved in something, I will bring in whatever resources I need. I'm tenacious," she said.

She interviewed judges, lawyers, family service professionals to learn about the services they offered. The generosity of experts sharing their knowledge helped WyCAN become successful, Erickson said.

After sifting through all the information and reviewing the programs in 23 states, Erickson wrote the organization's core curriculum. It didn't take long to see the benefits.

After the first parent education class, many parents went out of their way to thank her, and expressed how important the seminar had been.

"That was when I knew we were making a difference," she said.

Maryke Nel of Sheridan said Erickson made a difference for her. Nel, who attended the parent education class after a court order, confessed she didn't know what it was.

"You learn a lot when you go through a divorce," she said.

For Nel, the fact that both parents are exposed to the same information was a huge benefit.

"It helps keep you both on the same page during the divorce," she said. "Cori is so good at bringing the focus back to the kids."

As the program has matured, so has WyCAN's reach. Services are now available in 11 Wyoming communities, with 700 to 1,000 parents attending the seminars annually.

Erickson continues to expand the organization with a relatively small budget through limited state funding. Erickson works tirelessly to uncover new grants, and new sources of money for the programs.

Nel is glad she does.

"If it weren't for WyCAN, I don't think my kids would be as happy as they are today," she said.

Want to learn more?

* The Wyoming Children's Access Network provides parent-education seminars for divorcing, separated and never-married parents. The one-time, 4-hour seminar is offered monthly in Cheyenne, Cody, Gillette, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Torrington.

* The seminar provides information on the impact of parental conflict on children and teaches parents skills to help with the difficult transition. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other adults close to the children are welcome to attend as well.

* A nominal fee is charged; based on need, the fee may be waived upon request. Pre-registration is required 24 hours in advance. Info: toll-free (866) 726-3700.