:root{
    /* ===== LIFE-STEP™ ESSENTIALS VISUAL SYSTEM — primary tokens ===== */
    --navy: #1F2D56;         /* deep navy anchor */
    --navy-deep: #162244;    /* footer / stats / darkest panels */
    --teal: #0F8B8D;         /* major section bars, instructional emphasis */
    --teal-dark: #0A7072;
    --orange: #F47C20;       /* highlights, primary CTAs */
    --orange-dark: #D8650F;
    --gold: #F47C20;         /* highlights, secondary CTAs */
    --green: #4CAF50;        /* secondary accent ONLY — not a dominant CTA color */
    --green-dark: #3A873F;
    --pale-aqua: #F7F9FB;    /* alternating content panels */
    --white: #FFFFFF;
    --ink-soft: #2C3E50;
    --line: #E8EEF3;
    --bg: #FFFFFF;

    --radius: 8px;           /* modest corner rounding, not pill-shaped */
    --radius-sm: 6px;
    --shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(16,25,44,.10), 0 1px 2px rgba(16,25,44,.06); /* restrained */
    --maxw: 1180px;

    /* ===== legacy variable names kept so all existing inline styles re-theme automatically ===== */
    --ink: var(--navy);
    --t4at-blue: var(--teal);
    --t4at-blue-dark: var(--teal-dark);
    --t4at-green: var(--green);
    --t4at-green-dark: var(--green-dark);
    --t4at-gold: var(--gold);
    --bg-tint: var(--pale-aqua);
    --ls-orange: var(--orange);
    --ls-orange-dark: var(--orange-dark);
    --ls-navy: var(--navy-deep);
  }

  *{box-sizing:border-box;}
  html{scroll-behavior:smooth;}
  body{
    margin:0;
    font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;
    font-size:17px;
    line-height:1.6;
    color:var(--navy);
    background:var(--bg);
  }
  h1,h2,h3,h4{
    font-family:'Poppins', Arial, sans-serif;
    font-weight:800;
    line-height:1.2;
    margin:0 0 .5em 0;
    color:var(--navy);
  }
  .section-head h2, .content-prose h2{
    display:inline-block; border-bottom:4px solid var(--teal); padding-bottom:8px;
  }
  .rural h2, .cta-band h2, .hero h1{border-bottom:none; padding-bottom:0;}
  p{margin:0 0 1em 0;}
  a{color:var(--teal-dark);}
  img{max-width:100%; display:block;}
  .wrap{max-width:var(--maxw); margin:0 auto; padding:0 24px;}
  .btn{
    display:inline-block;
    padding:14px 26px;
    border-radius:var(--radius);
    font-weight:700;
    font-size:16px;
    text-decoration:none;
    transition:transform .15s ease, box-shadow .15s ease;
    border:2px solid transparent;
  }
  .btn:hover{transform:translateY(-2px);}
  .btn-primary{background:var(--orange); color:#fff; box-shadow:0 4px 12px rgba(232,98,42,.28);}
  .btn-outline{background:transparent; color:#fff; border-color:#fff;}
  .btn-outline:hover{background:#fff; color:var(--navy);}
  .btn-gold{background:var(--gold); color:#fff; box-shadow:0 4px 12px rgba(178,119,35,.28);}
  .eyebrow{
    text-transform:uppercase;
    letter-spacing:.08em;
    font-weight:800;
    font-size:13px;
    color:var(--teal-dark);
    margin-bottom:8px;
    display:block;
  }
  .visually-hidden{position:absolute; width:1px; height:1px; overflow:hidden; clip:rect(0 0 0 0);}
  :focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--gold); outline-offset:3px;}

  /* ============ HEADER ============ */
  header{
    background:#fff;
    border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);
    position:sticky; top:0; z-index:100;
  }
  .nav-row{
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between;
    padding:12px 20px;
    gap:12px;
  }
  .logo{display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px; text-decoration:none; flex:none;}
  .logo img{width:44px; height:44px; flex:none; border-radius:50%;}
  .logo-text{font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif; font-weight:800; font-size:16px; color:var(--navy); line-height:1.15; white-space:nowrap;}
  .logo-text span{color:var(--teal-dark); display:block; font-size:10px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:.04em;}
  nav ul{list-style:none; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin:0; padding:0; flex-wrap:nowrap;}
  nav > ul > li{position:relative;}
  nav a{
    color:var(--navy); text-decoration:none; font-weight:700; font-size:13.5px;
    padding:6px 1px; border-bottom:3px solid transparent; display:inline-block;
    white-space:nowrap;
  }
  nav a:hover{border-bottom-color:var(--teal);}
  nav a.nav-highlight{
    background:var(--gold); color:#fff; padding:9px 16px; border-radius:var(--radius);
    border-bottom:none; font-size:13.5px;
  }
  nav a.nav-highlight:hover{background:var(--orange); border-bottom:none;}
  .nav-cta{display:flex; gap:10px; flex:none;}
  .nav-cta .btn{padding:9px 15px; font-size:13px; white-space:nowrap;}
  .menu-toggle{display:none; background:none; border:none; font-size:26px; cursor:pointer; color:var(--navy);}

  /* Dropdown submenus (desktop = hover, mobile = always expanded) */
  .has-dropdown > a::after{content:" \25BE"; font-size:10px;}
  .dropdown{
    list-style:none; margin:0; padding:0;
    position:absolute; top:100%; left:0; min-width:230px;
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    box-shadow:var(--shadow);
    opacity:0; visibility:hidden; transform:translateY(6px);
    transition:opacity .15s ease, transform .15s ease;
    z-index:50;
  }
  .has-dropdown:hover .dropdown,
  .has-dropdown:focus-within .dropdown{opacity:1; visibility:visible; transform:translateY(0);}
  .dropdown li{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}
  .dropdown li:last-child{border-bottom:none;}
  .dropdown a{display:block; padding:12px 16px; font-size:14px; font-weight:600; border-bottom:none; white-space:normal;}
  .dropdown a:hover{background:var(--pale-aqua);}

  @media (max-width:1100px){
    nav{
      display:none; width:100%; order:3;
      background:#fff; border-top:1px solid var(--line);
    }
    nav.open{display:block;}
    nav ul{flex-direction:column; align-items:flex-start; gap:0; padding:12px 24px; flex-wrap:wrap;}
    nav ul li{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line); width:100%;}
    nav a{display:block; padding:14px 0; white-space:normal;}
    nav a.nav-highlight{display:inline-block; margin:10px 0; padding:10px 18px;}
    .nav-row{flex-wrap:wrap;}
    .menu-toggle{display:block;}
    .nav-cta{display:none;}
    .dropdown{
      position:static; opacity:1; visibility:visible; transform:none;
      border:none; box-shadow:none; padding-left:14px; display:block;
    }
    .has-dropdown > a::after{display:none;}
  }

  /* ============ HERO — deep navy anchor, no gradient ============ */
  .hero{
    background:var(--navy);
    color:#fff;
    padding:44px 0 56px;
  }
  .hero-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.1fr .9fr; gap:48px; align-items:center;}
  @media (max-width:860px){.hero-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .hero h1{color:#fff; font-size:clamp(30px,4vw,44px); max-width:14ch;}
  .hero p.lead{font-size:19px; max-width:52ch; opacity:.95;}
  .hero-actions{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); gap:14px; margin-top:32px;}
  @media (max-width:760px){.hero-actions{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}
  @media (max-width:460px){.hero-actions{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .hero-actions .btn{
    text-align:center; padding:20px 14px; font-size:16px; white-space:normal;
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; min-height:64px;
  }
  .hero-photo{
    background:rgba(255,255,255,.10);
    border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.30);
    border-radius:var(--radius);
    aspect-ratio:4/3;
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center;
    color:#fff; text-align:center; font-size:14px; padding:20px;
  }

  /* ============ STATS BAR ============ */
  .stats{
    background:var(--navy-deep);
    color:#fff;
  }
  .stats-grid{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr); gap:0;
    text-align:center;
  }
  @media (max-width:860px){.stats-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}
  .stat{padding:26px 12px; border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.14);}
  .stats-grid .stat:last-child{border-right:none;}
  .stat .num{font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif; font-weight:800; font-size:clamp(34px,4.6vw,52px); color:var(--gold); line-height:1;}
  .stat .label{font-size:15px; opacity:.9; margin-top:8px; font-weight:600;}

  /* ============ SECTION generic — alternating white / pale aqua ============ */
  section{padding:44px 0;}
  .section-head{max-width:680px; margin:0 auto 28px; text-align:center;}
  .section-head.left{margin:0 0 44px; text-align:left;}
  .section-tint{background:var(--pale-aqua);}

  /* ============ IMPACT / PHOTO MOSAIC (real photos) ============ */
  .photo-mosaic{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr; grid-template-rows:280px 280px;
    gap:18px;
  }
  .photo-mosaic figure{margin:0; position:relative; overflow:hidden; border-radius:var(--radius); box-shadow:var(--shadow);}
  .photo-mosaic figure:first-child{grid-row:1 / span 2;}
  .photo-mosaic img{width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; display:block; transition:transform .35s ease;}
  .photo-mosaic figure:hover img{transform:scale(1.04);}
  .photo-mosaic figcaption{
    position:absolute; left:0; right:0; bottom:0; padding:30px 18px 16px; color:#fff;
    font-weight:700; font-size:16px; background:linear-gradient(transparent, rgba(10,20,25,.9));
  }
  @media (max-width:900px){
    .photo-mosaic{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; grid-template-rows:260px 220px 220px;}
    .photo-mosaic figure:first-child{grid-column:1/span 2; grid-row:auto;}
  }
  @media (max-width:600px){
    .photo-mosaic{display:block;}
    .photo-mosaic figure{height:260px; margin-bottom:16px;}
  }

  /* ============ PROGRAM CARDS — strong left-border information cards ============ */
  .program-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); gap:24px;}
  @media (max-width:900px){.program-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .program-card{
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    padding:30px; box-shadow:var(--shadow); border-left:6px solid var(--orange); border-top:none;
    display:flex; flex-direction:column;
  }
  .program-card.alt{border-left-color:var(--teal);}
  .program-card .kicker{
    font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:13px;
    text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.06em; color:var(--orange-dark);
    margin-bottom:6px;
  }
  .program-card.alt .kicker{color:var(--teal-dark);}
  .program-card h3{font-size:24px;}
  .program-card h3 .tm{font-size:14px; vertical-align:super;}
  .program-card ul{padding-left:20px; margin:16px 0;}
  .program-card ul li{margin-bottom:6px;}
  .program-card .btn{margin-top:auto; align-self:flex-start;}
  .full-width-card{grid-column:1/-1;}
  .program-card.compact{padding:26px;}
  .program-card.compact p{font-size:15px;}
  .program-card.compact h3{font-size:21px;}

  .workshop-topics{
    display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:8px; margin:16px 0;
  }
  .chip{
    background:var(--pale-aqua); border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius-sm);
    padding:6px 14px; font-size:13px; font-weight:700; color:var(--ink-soft);
  }

  /* ============ TESTIMONIALS — Voices from Our Community ============ */
  .story-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:24px;}
  @media (max-width:900px){.story-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .story-card{
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    box-shadow:var(--shadow); overflow:hidden; display:flex; flex-direction:column;
    border-left:5px solid var(--teal); border-top:none;
  }
  .story-photo{
    aspect-ratio:4/3; background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--teal) 0%, var(--gold) 100%);
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; color:#fff; font-size:13px; text-align:center; padding:14px; opacity:.85;
  }
  .story-body{padding:24px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; flex:1;}
  .story-quote{font-style:italic; color:var(--navy); margin-bottom:16px; flex:1; font-size:16px;}
  .story-name{font-weight:800; font-size:15px; color:var(--navy); margin-bottom:14px;}
  .story-body a{font-weight:700; font-size:14px; text-decoration:none;}

  /* ============ RURAL WORKS HEALTHCARE ============ */
  .rural{background:var(--navy); color:#fff;}
  .rural-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:.85fr 1.15fr; gap:42px; align-items:center;}
  @media (max-width:860px){.rural-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .rural-logo{background:#fff; border-radius:var(--radius); padding:22px; box-shadow:var(--shadow);}
  .rural-logo img{width:100%; height:auto; display:block;}
  .rural h2{color:#fff;}
  .funding-note{
    margin-top:22px; padding:16px 18px; border-left:5px solid var(--orange);
    border-radius:var(--radius-sm); background:rgba(232,98,42,.14); font-size:15px;
  }
  .coming-soon{
    display:inline-block; padding:13px 20px; border-radius:var(--radius);
    background:rgba(255,255,255,.14); color:#cfe0e6; font-weight:700; font-size:14px;
  }

  /* ============ COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT ============ */
  .report-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:24px; margin-top:8px;}
  @media (max-width:800px){.report-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .report-page{
    display:block; padding:10px; background:#fff; border-radius:var(--radius);
    box-shadow:var(--shadow); border:1px solid var(--line);
  }
  .report-page img{width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:var(--radius-sm); display:block;}

  /* ============ PARTNERS ============ */
  .partner-featured, .partner-grid{display:grid; gap:18px; margin-top:24px;}
  .partner-featured{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}
  .partner-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);}
  @media (max-width:800px){.partner-featured{grid-template-columns:1fr;} .partner-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}
  .logo-card{
    min-height:110px; padding:18px; border:1px solid var(--line); background:#fff;
    border-radius:var(--radius); box-shadow:var(--shadow);
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; text-align:center;
  }
  .logo-card.featured{min-height:150px;}
  .logo-card img{max-width:100%; max-height:80px; width:auto; height:auto;}
  .logo-card.featured img{max-height:110px;}
  .wordmark{color:var(--navy); font-size:16px; line-height:1.3; font-weight:800;}
  .wordmark small{display:block; margin-top:5px; color:var(--ink-soft); font-size:12px; font-weight:700;}

  /* ============ FINAL CTA — teal, not green ============ */
  .cta-band{
    background:linear-gradient(120deg, var(--teal-dark), var(--teal));
    color:#fff; text-align:center;
  }
  .cta-band h2{color:#fff;}
  .cta-band .wrap{padding:44px 24px;}
  .cta-actions{display:flex; justify-content:center; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:14px; margin-top:20px;}

  /* ============ SIMPLE CONTENT PAGES ============ */
  .content-prose{max-width:820px;}
  .content-prose h2{margin-top:1.6em;}
  .content-prose ul{padding-left:22px;}
  .content-prose ul li{margin-bottom:8px;}
  .step-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:20px;}
  @media (max-width:800px){.step-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .step-card{
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    padding:22px; box-shadow:var(--shadow); text-align:center;
    border-left:4px solid var(--teal); border-top:none;
  }
  .step-card .step-num{
    width:36px; height:36px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--teal); color:#fff;
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; font-weight:800; margin:0 auto 12px;
  }
  .contact-card{
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    box-shadow:var(--shadow); padding:36px; text-align:center; max-width:560px; margin:0 auto;
    border-left:5px solid var(--gold);
  }
  .contact-card a{font-weight:700;}
  .dropoff-table{width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:20px;}
  .dropoff-table td{padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid var(--line); font-size:15px; vertical-align:top;}
  .dropoff-table td:first-child{font-weight:700; background:var(--pale-aqua); width:35%;}

  .skill-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:20px;}
  @media (max-width:900px){.skill-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}
  @media (max-width:600px){.skill-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
  .skill-card{
    background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius);
    padding:22px; box-shadow:var(--shadow); border-left:4px solid var(--teal); border-top:none;
  }
  .skill-card h4{font-size:16px; margin-bottom:8px;}
  .skill-card p{font-size:14px; color:var(--ink-soft); margin:0;}
  .quick-facts{list-style:none; margin:0; padding:0;}
  .quick-facts li{
    display:flex; gap:10px; padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    font-size:15px;
  }
  .quick-facts li strong{min-width:110px; flex:none; color:var(--gold);}

  /* ============ FOOTER ============ */
  footer{background:var(--navy-deep); color:#cfe0e6; font-size:14px;}
  .footer-grid{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr 1fr; gap:32px;
    padding:56px 0 32px;
  }
  @media (max-width:860px){.footer-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}
  footer h4{color:#fff; font-size:15px; margin-bottom:14px;}
  footer ul{list-style:none; padding:0; margin:0;}
  footer li{margin-bottom:10px;}
  footer a{color:#cfe0e6; text-decoration:none;}
  footer a:hover{color:#fff; text-decoration:underline;}
  .footer-bottom{
    border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12);
    padding:20px 0; font-size:13px; color:#8fa6ad;
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:12px;
  }