SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Hampden County District Attorney's Office held a kick-off meeting with members of its 2024 Youth Advisory Board. Over 70 students from 28 high schools across Hampden County make up the board. They will meet regularly with District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and his staff to discuss issues affecting youth today. Tony Simmons, Director of the Hampden DA's Community Safety and Outreach Unit, told 22News that discussions will range from mental health to substance abuse prevention and academic engagement. "Having all of these kids from diverse backgrounds come together and share their opinions literally helps our office work on the preventative initiatives that we have in the community so it's very beneficial," Simmons explained. The Community Safety and Outreach Unit has various educational and prevention programs, including "Stop the Swerve" which addresses the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Local News Headlines Thunderbirds kicked off their first preseason game Hispanic Heritage Month: HCC hosts cultural Latinx Fiesta Belchertown High School football and field hockey team face off for charity game MassMutual Center’s ‘Taste of the Arena’ previews food options for Thunderbirds games WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.