Adolescents Transitioning to Leadership and Success (ATLAS)

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 email 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 on the Duke Hospital Campus in Durham. 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 2026-27 program year:

• September 3rd: Living as a Teen with a Chronic Health Condition
• October 1st: After High School: College and the Workforce
• November 5th: Independence
• December 3th: Healthcare Transition, Pediatrics to Adult Medicine
• January 7th: Health & Wellness, Part 1
• February 4th: Health & Wellness, Part 2
• March 4th: Communication with Providers
• April 1st: Personal Relationships and Communication
• May 6th: 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 2026-27 program year:

• September 10th
• October 8th
• November 12th
• December 10th
• January 14th
• February 11th
• March 11th
• April 8th
• May 6th: ATLAS End-of-Year Social (in-person; LEAP participants invited!)

ATLASfit is a health and wellness program for young adults ages 16-30 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.

Information about Campference 2027 will be available soon. 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 2027 is April 17th!

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 about participating or volunteering, please email us.

Learn more about Jodie's Prom.

Jodie's Prom 2026 Recap!

Jodie's Prom was held April 18, 2026 in the atrium of Duke Children's Hospital. The theme was "Houston, We Have A Prom."

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 depths of space, including arts and crafts, Durham's own Poetry Fox, 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 medical 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 Shirmila Cooray, Director of Development for Neurosciences & Behavioral Health.

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 / Shirmila Cooray 
             300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1000
             Durham, NC 27701

Sponsors

ATLAS programming is supported by the Duke Hospital Auxiliary and private donations. Jodie's Prom is coordinated by the ATLAS Programs team.