Adolescents Transitioning to Leadership and Success (ATLAS) offers Duke-affiliated peer support services developed to foster resilience and independence in adolescents and young adults with special healthcare needs. Each program aims to help youth thrive as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

In addition, ATLAS supports parents and caregivers around this transition. In-person and virtual options are available. If you have any questions about ATLAS programming, please e-mail or call 919-385-0842.

Please note that to join any of our programs, you will first need to speak to a staff member to determine which program(s) are the best fit and sign a participation agreement.

Leadership Program

In this mentoring program, middle school students and high school students with chronic health conditions and college student mentors with chronic conditions meet monthly to share their experiences growing up with chronic illness and pursue leadership development and life success. This group also has a parent group and will continue to offer a virtual option.

In-person meetings are held on the first Thursday evening of the month from 5:30-8:00 pm in the Duke University School of Nursing. Virtual meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month from 6-7:15 pm. Contact us for more information or complete the appropriate participant agreement to sign up:

• Under Age 18 ATLAS Leadership Participant Agreement
• Age 18 and up ATLAS Leadership Participant Agreement

In-person meeting dates and topics for 2025-26 program year:

• August 21st: ATLAS Kick-Off Social
• September 4th: Living as a Teen with a Chronic Health Condition
• October 2nd: After High School: College and the Workforce
• November 6th: Independence
• December 4th: Healthcare Transition, Pediatrics to Adult Medicine
• January 8th: Health & Wellness, Part 1
• February 5th: Health & Wellness, Part 2
• March 5th: Communication with Providers
• April 9th: Personal Relationships and Communication
• May 7th: ATLAS End-of-Year Social

LEAP (Leadership, Experience, Advocacy, and Progress) Program

In this peer support program, individuals between the ages of 18-28 who live with chronic health conditions meet regularly to share their experiences as they move towards independence and into adult healthcare.

Meetings will be held the second Thursday of every other month. Please note that LEAP is a virtual group. Contact us for more information.

Virtual meeting dates for the 2025-2026 program year:

• August 21st: ATLAS Kick-Off Social (in-person; LEAP participants invited!)
• September 11th
• October 9th
• November 13th
• December 12th
• January 15th
• February 12th
• March 12th
• April 16th
• May 7th: ATLAS End-of-Year Social (in-person; LEAP participants invited!)

ATLASfit is a health and wellness program for young adults ages 18-30 with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families. ATLASfit runs quarterly topic-specific month-long classes. This group also includes a parent group.

If you are interested in ATLASfit, please complete the participation agreement below. Please note that you must speak to an ATLASfit staff member prior to attending a meeting. Contact us for more information or complete the participant agreement to sign up:

ATLASfit Participant Agreement

Campference is a four-day overnight summer leadership program (part camp and part conference) for adolescents and young adults (ages 15-22) with chronic health conditions. Campference focuses on the life transition into young adulthood and greater independence. The emphasis is on building self-advocacy skills at school, work, home, and the medical setting. 

Campference is held annually in mid-to-late July on Duke's campus. Participants sleep overnight in dorms, share meals at the dining hall, and attend workshops. There is always time built-in for games and recuperation.

Check-back for Summer 2026 dates. If you are interested or have questions about whether Campference is for you, please contact us via email or call us at 919-385-0842.

Save the date: Jodie's Prom 2026 is April 18th!

Jodie's Prom at Duke Children's is held annually each spring for current and former Duke Children's Pediatric patients ages 12 and up. For more information, please email us. 

Jodie's Prom was held April 26, 2025 in the atrium of Duke Children's Hospital. The theme was "Under the Sea: Find Your Treasure."

More than 100 participants—pediatric patients and their family members—came together in the atrium of Duke Children’s Hospital Clinic to spend an evening under the sea. Participants had fun out on the dance floor and exploring the treasure of the deep, including arts and crafts, small bites ("fish food!"), and the return of the ever-popular photo booth to record the memories.

Folks danced, laughed, and celebrated life. We were joined this year by more than 40 volunteers from across the Duke system—medical providers, administrative staff, and undergraduate students who were instrumental in set-up, tear-down, and creating good vibes and an environment of acceptance.

Donations

If you would like to support Prom and other ATLAS programs, please click here. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your gift, please contact Emily C. Espenshade, Director of Development for the Neurosciences & Behavioral Health, at emily.espenshade@duke.edu.

If you would prefer to send a donation by mail, please address a check to Duke University and list ATLAS Prom (Dr. Maslow) in the memo line. Please mail check to the following address:

             Duke Health Development
             Attn: ATLAS / Emily Espenshade
             300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1000
             Durham, NC 27701

Sponsors

ATLAS programming is supported by the Pratt Family Foundation, the Duke Hospital Auxiliary and private donations.

Jodie's Prom is generously funded by the Meg’s Smile Foundation, the Duke Hospital Auxiliary, and private donations, and coordinated by the ATLAS Programs team.