Adolescents Transitioning to Leadership and Success (ATLAS) offers a range of Duke-affiliated 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 strives to provide support for parents around this transition. If you have any questions about ATLAS programming, please e-mail atlas@duke.edu or call 919-385-0842.

Please note that to join any of our programs, you will need to speak to a staff member first to determine which program(s) are the best fit and sign a participation agreement. All programs are returning in person this fall, and a virtual option will be offered as well unless otherwise noted.

Leadership Program

A mentoring program in which middle school students and high school students with chronic health conditions and college student mentors also 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 5-8:30pm in the Duke University School of Nursing. Virtual meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month from 6-7:15 pm. Contact atlas@duke.edu 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 2024-25 program year:

• September 5th: Living as a Teen with a Chronic Health Condition
• October 3rd: After High School: College and the Workforce
• November 7th: Independence
• December 5th: Healthcare Transition, Pediatrics to Adult Medicine
• January 9th: Health & Wellness, Part 1
• February 6th: Health & Wellness, Part 2
• March 6th: Communication with Providers
• April 10th: Personal Relationships and Communication
• May 1st: Graduation

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

A peer support program where 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 atlas@duke.edu for more information.

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 to make sure it is a good fit before you can attend a meeting. Contact atlas@duke.edu 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.

Summer 2025 Campference will be July 16-19 on Duke's campus. If you are interested or have questions about if Campference is for you, please email atlas@duke.edu.

Save the date: Jodie's Prom 2025 is April 26th!

Registration is open until April 11!

Jodie's Prom at Duke Children's—formerly known as the Duke Children's Prom—is held annually each spring for current and former Duke Children's Pediatric patients ages 12 and up. For more information, please email atlas@duke.edu. 

Jodie's Prom was held April 20, 2024 in the atrium of Duke Children's Hospital. The theme was "All Around the World: Discover Your Potential."

More than 111 participants—pediatric patients and their family members—came together in the atrium of Duke Children’s Hospital Clinic to spend an evening taking a trip around the world. Participants had fun out on the dance floor and at the eight “stops” on the world tour: appetizers in Istanbul, Berlin and Addis Ababa; arts and crafts in Paris and Taipei; dessert in Mexico City, and glamour red carpet moments in Hollywood and Las Vegas. 

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, most crucially, the Duke Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse teams 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 are generously funded by the Meg’s Smile Foundation, the Duke Hospital Auxiliary, and private donations, and coordinated by the ATLAS Programs team.