Document:

EXHIBIT 10.6

SERVICE CONTRACT
L.L. BROWN, INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CR 32066

AGREEMENT is made this 7TH day of January 2000,  by the COUNTY OF  WASHTENAW,  a
municipal  corporation,  with  offices  located  in  the  County  Administration
Building,  220 North Main Street,  Ann Arbor,  Michigan  48107  (Count) and L.L.
Brown  International,  Inc. located at 19435 68th Avenue South, Suite 105, Kent,
Washington 98032 (Contractor).

         In  consideration  of the promises below, the parties mutually agree as
follows:

ARTICLE I - SCOPE OF SERVICES

         The Contractor shall conduct a forty (40) hour training  curriculum for
a minimum of nine hundred (900)  participants.  The  curriculum  will include an
Independent  Thinking Skills course and a 30 Days to Gainful  Employment course.
The skills course is a twenty-four (24) curriculum and the employment  course is
a sixteen (16) hour curriculum.

         The program  shall also  include a series of retention  classes,  which
will cover motivation,  retention and career  advancement  issues. The retention
sessions shall be between four and eight hours each as determined by need. These
retention  sessions  will  begin  during  the  second  or  third  month  of  the
twelve-month services term. The frequency of these sessions will be specifically
designed by ETCS staff and the Contractor.  These training shall be delivered in
three parts: day, evening, and weekend classes, depending upon customer needs.

Independent  Thinking  Skills  courts will  include at a minimum  the  following
curriculum:  Blind spots and  conditioning  How We Think The Negative  Spiral of
Self-defeating behavior Attitude Formation Comfort Zones.

The 30 Days to Gainful Employment course will include at a minimum the following
curriculum:  Creating a work history,  Resume writing;  cover letters,  creating
bullet statements, selling yourself with words

Application  Workshop Specific job search techniques,  Dressing for an interview
Planning & problem  solving for a  successful  interview,  Interview  skills Job
Retention skills

The Contractor  shall be  responsible  for providing the workbooks and essential
materials  to train the above  curriculum  as  delineated  and  agreed to in the
proposal.

         Additionally,  the Contractor  will develop and implement an Employers'
Exchange  program  with the  assistance  of the ETCS Group.  This  program  will
establish a private sector  employer  group to serve as a marketing  forum focus
group for the Washtenaw County Workforce Development Board.

         The   target   group   shall    include   the    universal    customer,
Welfare-to-Work/Work   First   Program   recipients   referred   by  the  Family
Independence Agency to the Washtenaw County Michigan Works! Service Center, plus
non-cash   recipients  who  the  Contractor  shall  readily  recruit,   and  any
participant who would benefit from the is training and receives services through
the  Michigan  Works!  Service  Center.  Recruitment  strategies  for non-  cash
recipients  shall include ETCS staff  providing  contract names and addresses of
these  recipients.  The  contractor  shall be responsible  for recruiting  these
individuals.

                            ARTICE II - COMPENSATION

         The contract shall be based on a cost per participant  rate of $360, at
a  minimum  cost  of  $5,400  per  week  to  serve  no less  than  fifteen  (15)
participants. The number of participants may exceed fifteen, but the cost per

<PAGE>

participant rate may not exceed $360. The total contract dollar amount is not to
exceed Two Hundred Eighty Thousand and Eight Hundred ($280,800) dollars.

                      ARTICLE III - REPORTING OF CONTRACTOR

Section 1 - The Contractor is to report to the ETCS Executive  Director and will
cooperate  and confer with  him/her as  necessary  to insure  satisfactory  work
progress.

Section 2 - All reports,  estimates,  memoranda and  documents  submitted by the
Contractor must be dated and bear the Contractors name.

Section 3 - All reports which must be submitted under this contract,  including,
but not limited to, performance  reports and expenditure  reports are subject to
review and final approval by the ETCS; Group Director.

Section 4 - The County may review and inspect the Contractor's activities during
the term of this contract.

Section 5 - When applicable,  the Contractor will submit a final, written report
to the ETCS Group Director.

Section 6 - After reasonable notice to the Contractor, the County may review any
of the Contractor's internal records, reports, or insurance policies.

Section 7 - After reasonable notice to the Contractor, the Contractor shall make
available  to the  Department  of  Career  Development  (formerly  known  as the
Michigan Jobs  Commission),  Michigan Economic  Development  Corporation and /or
their  authorized  representative(s),  any books,  documents,  papers or records
relating  to this  agreement  for  the  purpose  of  audits,  examinations,  and
record-keeping. Contractor shall keep such records for three years.

                                ARTICLE IV - TERM

         This  contract  begins on December  27,  1999 and ends on December  31,
2000.

                              ARTICLE V - PERSONNEL

Section 1 - The  contractor  will  provide the  required  services  and will not
subcontract or assign the services without the County's written approval.

Section 2 - The  Contractor  will not hire any  County  employee  for any of the
required services without the County's written approval.

Section 3 - The parties agree that the  Contractor is neither an employee nor an
agent of the County for any purpose.

                     ARTICLE VI - INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

         The Contractor will protect, defend and indemnify Washtenaw County, its
offices,   agents,   servants,   volunteers  and  employees  from  any  and  all
liabilities,  claims, liens, fines, demands and costs,  including legal fees, of
whatsoever  kind and nature  which may result in injury or death to any persons,
including  the  Contractor's  own  employees,  and  for  loss or  damage  to any
property,  including  property  owned or in the  care,  custody  or  control  of
Washtenaw  County in connection with or in any way incident to or arising out of
the occupancy, use, service, operations,  performance or non-performance of work
in connection  with this contract  resulting in whole or in part from  negligent
acts or omissions of contractor,  any sub-contractor,  or any employee, agent or
representative of the contractor or any sub-contractor.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE VII - INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

         The Contractor will maintain at its own expense during the term of this
Contract, the following insurance:

     1.   Workers'  Compensation  Insurance with Michigan  statutory  limits and
          Employers  Liability  Insurance  with a minimum limit of $100,000 each
          accident for any employee.

     2.   Comprehensive/Commercial  General Liability  Insurance with a combined
          single  limit of  $1,000,000  each  occurrence  for bodily  injury and
          property  damage.The County shall be added as "additional  insured" on
          general  liability policy with respect to the services  provided under
          this contract.

     3.   Automobile Liability Insurance covering all owned, hired and non-owned
          vehicles with Personal  Protection  Insurance and Property  Protection
          Insurance  to comply  with the  provisions  of the  Michigan  No Fault
          Insurance Law, including  residual liability  insurance with a minimum
          combined  single limit of  $1,000,000  each accident for bodily injury
          and property damage.

         Insurance companies,  named insured's and policy forms shall be subject
to the approval of the Washtenaw County  Administrator.  Such approval shall not
be unreasonably  withheld.  Insurance policies shall not contain endorsements or
policy conditions which reduce coverage provided to Washtenaw County. Contractor
shall be  responsible  to  Washtenaw  County  or  insurance  companies  insuring
Washtenaw County for all costs resulting from both financially unsound insurance
companies  selected  by  Contractor  and their  inadequate  insurance  coverage.
Contractor shall furnish the Washtenaw County  Administrator  with  satisfactory
certificates of insurance or a certified copy of the policy, if requested by the
County Administrator.

         No  payments  will  be  made  to  the  Contractor   until  the  current
certificates of insurance have been received and approved by the  Administrator.
If the Insurance as evidenced by the  certificates  furnished by the  Contractor
expires or is canceled  during the term of the  contract,  services  and related
payments will be suspended.  Contractor shall furnish the County Administrator's
Office with certification of Insurance evidencing such coverage and endorsements
at least ten (10)  working  days prior to  commencement  of services  under this
contract. Certificates shall be addressed to the County Administrator,  P.O. Box
8645, Ann Arbor,  MI, 48107,  and shall provide for 30 day written notice to the
Certificate holder of cancellation of coverage.

               ARTICLE VII - COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

         The  Contractor   will  comply  with  all  federal,   state  and  local
regulations,  including but not limited to the Job Training  Partnership  Act as
well  as  all  applicable  OSHA/MIOSHA   requirements  and  the  Americans  with
Disabilities Act.

                 ARTICLE IX - INTEREST OF CONTRACTOR AND COUNTY

         The  Contractor  promises that it has no interest  which would conflict
with the performance of services required by this contract.  The Contractor also
promises that, in the performance of this contract, no officer,  agent, employee
of the county of Washtenaw,  or member of its governing bodies,  may participate
in any  decision  relating  to this  contract  which  affects  his/her  personal
interest or the interest of any corporation, partnership or association in which
he/she is directly or  indirectly  interested  or has any  personal or pecuniary
interest.  However,  this paragraph  does no apply if there has been  compliance
with the  provisions  of  Section 3 of Act NO.  317 of the  Public  Acts of 1968
and/or  Section 30 of Act No. 156 of Public Acts of 1951,  as amended by Act no.
51 of the Public Acts of 1978, whichever is applicable.

<PAGE>

                          ARTICLE X - CONTINGENT FEES

         The  Contractor  promises  that it has not  employed  or  retained  any
company  or  person,  other  than bona fide  employees  working  solely  for the
Contractor,  to solicit  or secure  this  contract,  and that it has not paid or
agreed to pay any  company or person,  other  than bona fide  employees  working
solely for the Contractor, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gifts
or any other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or making
of this  contract.  For breach of this  promise,  the  County  may  cancel  this
contract without liability or, at its discretion,  deduct the full amount of the
fee,  commission,  percentage,  brokerage  fee, gift or contingent  fee from the
compensation due the Contractor.

                   ARTICLE XI - EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

         The Contractor will not discriminate  against any employee or applicant
for employment because of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation,  national
origin,  physical handicap, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status,
religion and political belief (except as it relates to a bona fide  occupational
qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the business).

         The Contractor will take affirmative action to eliminate discrimination
based on sex,  race,  or a handicap in the hiring of applicant and the treatment
of  employees.   Affirmative  action  will  include,  but  not  be  limited  to:
Employment;  upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment advertisement;  layoff
or  termination;  rates of pay or other  forms of  compensation;  selection  for
training, including apprenticeship.

         The Contractor  agrees to post notices  containing  this policy against
discrimination in conspicuous  places available to applicants for employment and
employees.  All solicitations or advertisements  for employees,  placed by or on
the behalf of the  Contractor,  will state that all  qualified  applicants  will
receive  consideration of employment without regard to race, creed,  color, sex,
sexual orientation,  national origin,  physical handicap,  age, height,  weight,
marital status, veteran status, religion and political belief.

                           ARTICLE XII - EQUAL ACCESS

         The  Contractor  shall  provide  the  services  set forth in  Article I
without discrimination on the basis of race, color,  religion,  national origin,
sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical handicap, or age.

                   ARTICLE XIII - COPYRIGHTS/PATENTS LICENSES

Section 1 - If the Contractor  develops under this Contract any book,  document,
writing, publication, software, recording, or other material whether in written,
video, audio, or other format,  Contractor grants a royalty-free,  nonexclusive,
irrevocable  tight to the  County and its  funding  sources  to use,  copy,  and
distribute  or further  use and  copying  any such  material  regardless  of any
copyright  or other right of  ownership  Contractor  may have or  obtain.,  This
Irrevocable grant of right shall not expire,  and shall extend beyond the period
of this agreement.

Section 2 - Contractor  shall  promptly  notify the County if it produces  under
this Contract any patentable item, process, procedure,  discovery, invention, or
other  patentable  thing. The County shall then notify the grant funding source.
Unless there is an agreement  between the County and the grant funding source to
the contrary,  the County and Contractor shall be bound by the  determination of
the grant agreement.

<PAGE>

              ARTICLE XIV - OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATION

         All  documents  developed as a result of this  contract  will be freely
available to the public.  None may be copyrighted by the Contractor.  During the
performance of the services,  the Contractor will be responsible for any loss of
or damage to the documents while they are in its possession and must restore the
loss or damage at its expense.  Any use of the  information  and results of this
contract by the Contractor must reference the project sponsorship by the County.
Any publication of the information or results must be co-authored by the County.

                       ARTICLE XV - YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         Contractor hereby warrants and represents that all products,  hardware,
software,  information (data), and electronic components and systems (all herein
referred  to as  "equipment"),  as  well as all  services,  being  furnished  to
Washtenaw  county,  or relied upon by Contractor in its provision of services or
equipment to Washtenaw County,  shall be "Year 2000 Compliant".  As used herein,
the term "Year  2000  Compliant"  shall mean the  equipment  and  services  will
perform the same  functions  and provide the same level of accurate  information
and  calculations  during 1999,  2000,  and  thereafter as it did prior thereto,
including interface to and from other systems or organization.

         In the event of any  recognition,  calculation,  or  indication of Year
2000 Compliance  problems,  Contractor warrants that it shall make all necessary
adjustments,  corrections,  or replacements  at no cost to Washtenaw,  County in
order to assure that  contractors'  products,  services  and  equipment  are, or
become "Year 2000 Compliant".  Contractor  agrees to reimburse the County or any
costs incurred by the County as a result of contractors'  failure to comply with
the provision.

                      ARTICLE XVI - ASSIGNS AND SUCCESSORS

         This  contract  is  binding on the  County  and the  contractor,  their
successors  and assigns.  Neither the County nor the  Contractor  will assign or
transfer its interest in this contract without the written consent of the other.

           ARTICLE XVII - MODIFICATION, TERMINATION, AND CANCELLATION

Section 1 - This contract may be unilaterally modified at any time by the county
if required  by changes in Federal,  State or County  laws,  regulation,  rules,
policies  or  procedures.  The  Contractor  must  either  accept the  unilateral
modification or give immediate notice of contract termination.

Section  2 - This  contract  may be  bilaterally  modified  at any  time  by the
execution of a written, signed contract modification.

Section  3 - This  contract  may be  terminated  in whole or in part for any the
following reasons:

     a.   either party may be terminate this contract for  convenience by giving
          30 calendar days advance  written  notice to the other party in person
          or by certified  mail.  All notice periods shall commence when written
          notice is deposited with the post office or personally delivered;

     b.   either party may  terminate  this  contract  immediately  for cause by
          giving  written  notice.  Breach  of  any  of the  contract  terms  or
          attachments shall constitute cause for termination;

     c.   if the County fail to receive sufficient federal and/or state funds to
          meet any or all of its contractual  obligations due to fund reduction,
          suspension,  termination  or other  causes,  the County shall have the
          right to immediately and unilaterally reduced or terminate all or part
          of this contract;

     d.   the County may  terminate  this  contract for cause if the  Contractor
          appears on the  register of  employers  in  violation  of the National
          Labor Relations Act (State of Michigan, Public Act 278 of 1980).

Section 4 - If this  contract  is  terminated  early,  the  Contractor  shall be
entitled to allowable earnings prior to the date of termination, plus reasonable
close-out costs approved by the County.

                    ARTICLE XVIII - DISPUTES AND GRIEVANCES

Section 1 - The Contractor will develop and maintain a system for the handing of
grievances in accordance with the policies issued by the State and the County.

<PAGE>

Section 2 - In any dispute, both parties agree to informally discuss and attempt
to resolve issues.  In the event that informal  discussion  fails to resolve the
disputed issues, either party may request formal resolution,  in accordance with
County procedures.

Section 3 - The  Contractor  agrees to participate in and be bound by disallowed
cost, complaint or grievance decisions issued by the County. Such decision shall
include opportunity for a fair hearing upon request.  All such decision shall be
fully enforceable in Michigan or Federal courts.

                          ARTICLE XIX - PAYROLL TAXES

         The  Contractor is  responsible  for all  applicable  state and federal
social  security  benefits and  unemployment  taxes and agrees to indemnify  and
protect the County against such liability.

                        ARTICLE XX - PRACTICE AND ETHICS

         The  parties  will  conform  to the code of ethics of their  respective
national professional associations.

                      ARTICLE XXI - PREVAILING WAGE RATES

         The  Contractor  agrees  that all  craftsmen,  mechanics  and labors it
employs to work on this  project  shall,  at a minimum,  receive the  prevailing
wages and fringe  benefits of the Building Trade  Department  for  corresponding
classes of craftsmen,  mechanics and laborers for the Washtenaw  County area, as
determined  and  published  by the  Davis-Bacon  Division  of the United  States
Department of Labor. Contractor agrees that all subcontracts entered into by the
Contractor  shall  contain a similar  provision  covering  any  sub-contractor's
employees who perform work on this project.

            ARTICLE XXII - CHANGES IN SCOPE OR SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

         Changes mutually agreed upon by the County and the Contractor,  will be
incorporated into this contract by written amendments signed by both parties.

                    ARTICLE XXIII - CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM

         This contract is to be interpreted by the laws of Michigan, The parties
agree that the proper forum for  litigation  arising out of this  contract is in
Washtenaw county, Michigan.

<PAGE>

                        ARTICLE XXIV - EXTENT OF CONTRACT

         This contract  represents the entire agreement  between the parties and
supersedes all prior representations, negotiations or agreements whether written
or oral.

ATTESTED TO:                                WASHTENAW COUNTY

By:/s/ Peggy M. Haines   1-7-00             By:/s/ Robert E. Guenzel    12-28-99
       ------------------------             -----------------------------
           Peggy M. Haines  (DATE)           Robert E. Guenzel   (DATE)
         County Clerk/Register               County Administrator

APPROVED AS TO FORM BY                      L.L. BROWN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

By:/s/ Curtis N. Hedger    12/28/99         By:/s/ Lester L. Brown    12/23/99
       ----------------------------           ---------------------------
         Curtis N. Hedger  (DATE)             Lester L. Brown  (DATE)
         Office of Corporation Counsel        Vice PresidentEXHIBIT 10.7

Kern County

Agt. #
     -
AGREEMENT
FOR
INDEPENDENT THINKING SKILLS TRAINING FOR CaIWORKs PARTICIPANTS
Independent Contractor
(County of Kern  L. L. Brown International, Inc.)

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into on -MAY 9 2000 by and between the COUNTY
OF KERN, a political  subdivision of the State of California,  as represented by
the  Department  of  Human  Services  (hereinafter  "COUNTY"),  and L. L.  BROWN
INTERNATIONAL,  INC., a forprofit organization (hereinafter "CONTRACTOR"), whose
principal place of business is at 19425 681h Avenue South, Suite S1 05, Kent, WA
98032.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS:

A.  Government  Code  Sections  31000  and  53060  permit  the  COUNTY  Board of
Supervisors to contract for the furnishing of special  services with individuals
specially trained and experienced and competent to perform those services; and

Welfare and  Institutions  Code Section  11320 et. seq.  requires each county to
offer a  range  of  services  adequate  to  ensure  that  each  California  Work
Opportunity  and  Responsibility  to Kids  (CaIWORKs)  participant has access to
needed   activities  and  services  to  assist  them  in  seeking   unsubsidized
employment; and

C. The  Department of Human  Services of COUNTY  (hereinafter  "DEPARTMENT")  is
responsible for administering  public assistance programs and assisting CalWORKs
participants to transition to selfsufficiency  through unsubsidized  employment;
and

DEPARTMENT, through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, selected CONTRACTOR by
reason of CONTRACTOR'S  qualifications,  experience,  and ability to provide the
services on the terms set forth herein; and

E. This partnership targets the Federal Temporary  Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF)  goals  to  provide  assistance  to  CalWORKs  families  and to  end  the
dependence of needy families by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED between the parties as follows:

1.   TERM

This  Agreement  shall be deemed in force as of the date first above written and
shall  remain in effect  until  April 30,  2001,  unless  sooner  terminated  as
hereinafter provided.

11.      RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTOR

A. CONTRACTOR  shall provide  "Independent  Thinking Skills" and "Thirty Days to
Gainful  Employment'  training seminars to returning  CalWORKs  participants who
have been  unsuccessful  in  remaining  employed.  The  purpose of the  training
program is to increase  employment and retention  rates,  and reduce the rate of
public

<PAGE>

assistance  reapplications.  Program  services  and  seminar  instruction  shall
include the following:

1.   Seminars shall be provided a minimum of two times per month,  consisting of
     forty (40) hours, Monday through Friday, of classroom instruction.
2.   Seminars  shall consist of  twentyfour  (24) hours,  "Independent  Thinking
     Skills"  and  sixteen  (16)  hours,  'Thirty  Days  to  Gainful  Employment
     Instruction".
3.   Seminars  shall  provide  training  to a minimum  of twenty  (20)  CalWORKs
     participants per session,  with a maximum of eight hundred twentyfive (825)
     participants for the term of this Agreement. 1
4.   Seminars shall be provided in English and Spanish, as required.
5.   CONTRACTOR shall  collaborate with COUNTY'S Case Managers to facilitate the
     identification of employment or attendance barriers.
6.   CONTRACTOR shall provide the following training material and supplies:

a.       Program workbooks
b.       Audio instruction tapes
C.       Instructional compact disks
d.       Printed materials
e.       Instructional supplies

7.   CONTRACTOR shall provide the following training person nel:

a.       Senior Trainer
b.       Certified Trainer
C.       Program Coordinator
d.       Other personnel, as required.

B. CONTRACTOR shall provide posttraining program sessions consisting of four (4)
to eight (8) hours of additional training to CalWORKs participants, upon request
of DEPARTMENT,  as inkind contributions and at no additional cost to the COUNTY.
Sessions shall include motivation,  employment retention, and career advancement
topics  to  further   assist  the  CalWORKs   participant   to   transition   to
selfsufficiency through unsubsidized employment.

C. CONTRACTOR,  upon request of DEPARTMENT, may provide CalWORKs atrisk youths a
modified  abbreviated  youthoriented  version of the contracted seminar program,
not to exceed, twelve (12) days or one (1) day per month during the term of this
Agreement, as inkind contributions and at no additional cost to the COUNTY.

CONTRACTOR'S REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

A. CONTRACTOR shall provide a Daily Signin Log and Weekly Referral  Tracking Log
of CalWORKs  participants,  monthly to DEPARTMENT in accordance  with Exhibit A,
which is attached hereto and incorporated  herein by this reference,  and shall,
at a minimum, include the following:

1 . Name of attendee
2. Social Security number
3. Date of seminar
4. Type of seminar

<PAGE>

5.       Daily attendance
6.       Number of participants completing programs

B.  CONTRACTOR  shall provide  monthly to  DEPARTMENT  seminar  evaluations  and
testimonials  completed by CalWORKs  participants  and  submitted to  CONTRACTOR
during seminar sessions.

C. CONTRACTOR shall provide  DEPARTMENT a final project report no later than May
31, 2001, to substantiate the following anticipated outcomes:

1.   Program Analysis and Outcomes Rego

a. Sixtyfive percent (65%) increase in employment  retention rates after six (6)
months  for all  CalWORKs  program  participants  to be  measured  by  datamatch
provided by COUNTY.
b. Reduce the rate of public assistance  reapplications for all CalWORKs program
participants by twentyfive  percent (25%) to be measured by datamatch at the end
of the term of this Agreement.
c.  Promote  learning  and  increase  skills to enhance the  selfsufficiency  of
CalWORKs program participants and their families.
d. Promote job preparation,  job retention,  and employment  advancement for all
CalWORKs program participants.

IV.      RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY

A. COUNTY  shall  refer all  eligible  CalWORKs  participants  for  CONTRACTOR'S
program services.

B. COUNTY shall provide classroom  facilities to accommodate a minimum of twenty
five (25) students per session.

C.  COUNTY  shall  provide   supportive   services   including  the   following;
transportation,   child  care  and  ancillary   assistance  to  promote  program
attendance.

D.  COUNTY  shall  provide  datamatch  to  CONTRACTOR  to assist  CONTRACTOR  in
substantiating the anticipated outcomes listed above in Paragraph III.C.

E. COUNTY shall  provide  duplication  and printing of materials  needed for the
atrisk youth training sessions.

COUNTY shall compensate CONTRACTOR Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500),
per session minus materials and supplies  purchased by DEPARTMENT,  in an amount
not to exceed Two  Hundred  NinetySeven  Thousand  dollars  ($297,000).  Cost of
materials  for  each  participant  shall be  credited  against  monthly  seminar
compensation  paid to CONTRACTOR by DEPARTMENT  over the term of this Agreement.
CONTRACTOR  anticipates  each  session  will  accommodate  twenty (20)  CalWORKs
participants.  COUNTY shall  compensate  CONTRACTOR Three Hundred Ninety Dollars
($390)  for each  additional  participant,  up to a maximum of  twentyfive  (25)
participants,

<PAGE>

attending each session. No funds paid to CONTRACTOR through this Agreement shall
be utilized to compensate  employees of CONTRACTOR for overtime or compensatory,
time off,  except to the extent that  CONTRACTOR is required to pay for overtime
or  compensatory  time off pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 193 8, 29
USCS Section 201 et seq., or applicable  State law. All  compensation is subject
to the availability of State and federal funding

Vi.      BILLING REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACTOR shall submit monthly claims to DEPARTMENT for services rendered under
this  Agreement.  Costs paid under this Agreement are subject to cost principles
contained in the following Federal Publications:

48 CFR Part 31, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures for profit organizations

A.  Invoices  shall be submitted  in  triplicate  in a form  approved by COUNTY.
Invoices for seminars up to twenty (20) participants shall be paid in the amount
of Seventy Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) per session less materials purchased by
the   DEPARTMENT  in  an  amount  of  One  Hundred  Ninety  Dollars  ($190)  per
participant.

B. Invoices for seminars  with more than twenty (20) and up to  twentyfive  (25)
participants  shall be  compensated in an amount of Three Hundred Ninety Dollars
($390)  for  each  additional   participant  less  materials  purchased  by  the
DEPARTMENT in an amount of One Hundred Ninety Dollars ($190) per participant.

C. Invoices  shall be  accompanied  by a list of CalWORKs  program  participants
receiving  services in each monthly  billing  period as  referenced in Paragraph
III.A.

D. Invoices shall be sent to DEPARTMENT for review and processing.  Payment will
be made to  CONTRACTOR  within  thirty (30) days of receipt and approval of each
invoice.

VII.     REPRESENTATIONS

CONTRACTOR makes the following  representations  which are agreed to be material
to and form a part of the inducement for this Agreement:

A.  CONTRACTOR  has the  expertise  and support  staff  necessary to provide the
services described in this Agreement; and

B. CONTRACTOR does not have any actual or potential interests adverse to COUNTY,
nor does  CONTRACTOR  represent  a person or firm with an  interest  adverse  to
COUNTY with reference to the subject of this Agreement; and

C. CONTRACTOR  shall  diligently  provide all required  services in a timely and
professional  manner in accordance with the terms and conditions  stated in this
Agreement.

<PAGE>

Vill.    ASSIGNMENT

CONTRACTOR  shall not  assign or  transfer  this  Agreement  or its  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof.  CONTRACTOR  shall not assign any monies due or
which become due to CONTRACTOR  under this  Agreement  without the prior written
approval of COUNTY.

ix.      NEGATION OF PARTNERSHIP

In the  performance of the services under this Agreement,  CONTRACTOR  shall be,
and acknowledges  that CONTRACTOR is in fact and law, an independent  contractor
and not an agent or employee of COUNTY.  CONTRACTOR has and retains the right to
exercise full  supervision  and control over the manner and methods of providing
services to COUNTY under this Agreement. CONTRACTOR retains full supervision and
control  over the  employment,  direction,  compensation  and  discharge  of all
persons assisting  CONTRACTOR in the provision of services under this Agreement.
With  respect to  CONTRACTOR'S  employees,  if any,  CONTRACTOR  shall be solely
responsible for payment of wages,  benefits and other  compensation,  compliance
with all occupational safety, welfare and civil rights laws, tax withholding and
payment of employment taxes whether federal, State or local, and compliance with
any and all other laws regulating employment.

X.       INDEMNIFICATION

CONTRACTOR  agrees to indemnify,  defend and hold  harmless  COUNTY and COUNTY'S
agents, board members, elected and appointed officials and officers,  employees,
volunteers and authorized representatives from any and all losses,  liabilities,
charges, damages, claims, liens, causes of action, awards, judgments, costs, and
expenses  (including,  but not limited to,  reasonable  attorneys fees of County
Counsel and counsel  retained by COUNTY,  expert fees,  costs of staff time, and
investigation  costs) of whatever  kind or nature,  which arise out of or are in
any way  connected  with  any act or  omission  of  CONTRACTOR  or  CONTRACTOR'S
officers,  agents,  employees,  independent  contractors,  subcontractors of any
tier,  or authorized  representatives.  Without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing,  the same shall  include  injury or death to any  person or  persons;
damage to any property,  regardless of where located,  including the property of
COUNTY;  and any workers'  compensation claim or suit arising f rom or connected
with any services  performed  pursuant to this Agreement on behalf of CONTRACTOR
by any person or entity.

X1.      INSURANCE

CONTRACTOR, in order to protect COUNTY and its board members, officials, agents,
officers, and employees against all claims and liability for death, injury, loss
and  damage  as  a  result  of  CONTRACTOR'S  actions  in  connection  with  the
performance of CONTRACTOR'S  obligations,  as required in this Agreement,  shall
secure and maintain  insurance as described below.  CONTRACTOR shall not perform
any work under this  Agreement  until  CONTRACTOR  has  obtained  all  insurance
required under this section and the required certificates of insurance have been
filed with and  approved by COUNTY.  CONTRACTOR  shall pay any  deductibles  and
selfinsured retentions under all required insurance policies.

<PAGE>

A.       Workers' Coml2ensation Insurance Reguirement

CONTRACTOR  shall  submit  written  proof that  CONTRACTOR  is  insured  against
liability for workers' compensation in accordance with the provisions of Section
3700 of the Labor Code.

In  signing  this  Agreement,  CONTRACTOR  makes  the  following  certification,
required by Section 1861 of the Labor Code:

"I am aware of the  provisions  of Section 3700 of the Labor Code which  require
every employer to be insured against  liability for workers'  compensation or to
undertake  selfinsurance  in accordance  with the provisions of that code, and I
will comply with such provisions  before  commencing the performance of the work
of this Agreement."

CONTRACTOR shall require any subcontractors to provide workers' compensation for
all of the subcontractors'  employees,  unless the subcontractors' employees are
covered by the  insurance  afforded  by  CONTRACTOR.  If any class of  employees
engaged in work or services  performed  under this  Agreement  is not covered by
Labor  Code  Section  3700,   CONTRACTOR   shall  provide  and/or  require  each
subcontractor  to provide  adequate  insurance for the coverage of employees not
otherwise covered.

B.       Liability Insurance Requirements

I . CON'TRAC70R shall maintain in full force and effect, at all times during The
term of this Agreement, the following insurance:

a.  Commercial  General  Liability  Insurance,  including,  but not  limited to,
Contractual   Liability   Insurance   (specifically   concerning  the  indemnity
provisions of this Agreement),  ProductsCompleted  Operations  Hazard,  Personal
Injury  (including  bodily injury and death),  and Property Damage for liability
arising  out of  CONTRACTOR'S  performance  of work under this  Agreement.  Said
insurance  coverage  shall have  minimum  limits for Bodily  Injury and Property
Damage liability of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) each occurrence and
One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) aggregate.

b. Automobile  Liability  Insurance against claims of Personal Injury (including
bodily injury and death) and Property Damage covering all owned,  leased,  hired
and  nonowned  vehicles  used in the  performance  of services  pursuant to this
Agreement with minimum limits for Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability of
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) each occurrence and One Million Dollars
($1,000,000)  aggregate.  Such  insurance  shall be  provided  by a business  or
commercial vehicle policy.

2. The Commercial  General Liability  Insurance required in this Subparagraph B.
shall  include  an  endorsement   naming  COUNTY  and  COUNTY'S  board  members,
officials,  officers,  agents and employees as additional insureds for liability
arising out of this Agreement and any operations related thereto.

<PAGE>

3. If any of the insurance coverages required under this Agreement is written on
a claimsmade  basis,  the insurance  policy shall provide an extended  reporting
period  of not less  than  four (4)  years  following  the  termination  of this
Agreement or  completion  of  CONTRACTOR'S  work  specified  in this  Agreement,
whichever is later.

4. Prior to CONTRACTOR  commencing any of its obligations  under this Agreement,
evidence  of  insurance  in  compliance  with the  requirements  above  shall be
furnished to DEPARTMENT'S Contracts Office by Certificate of Insurance.  Receipt
of evidence of insurance that does not comply with above  requirements shall not
constitute a waiver of the insurance requirements set forth above.

C.       Cancellation of Insurance

The  abovestated  insurance  coverages  required to be  maintained by CONTRACTOR
shall be  maintained  until the  completion of all of  CONTRACTOR'S  obligations
under this Agreement,  and shall not be reduced,  modified,  or canceled without
thirty (30) days prior written notice to COUNTY. Also, phrases such as "endeavor
to" and "but failure to mail such notice shall impose no obligation or liability
of any kind upon the company" shall not be included in the cancellation  wording
of all  Certificates  of Insurance or any coverage for COUNTY and COUNTY'S board
members,  officials agents,  and employees.  CONTRACTOR shall immediately obtain
replacement  coverage for any  insurance  policy that is  terminated,  canceled,
nonrenewed, or whose policy limits have been exhausted or upon insolvency of the
insurer that issued the policy.

D. All insurance shall be issued by a company or companies listed in the current
"Best's Key Rating Guide"  publication with a minimum of a "B+;V" rating,  or in
special circumstances, be preapproved by COUNTY.

E. If CONTRACTOR is, or becomes during the term of this  Agreement,  selfinsured
or  a  member  of  a  selfinsurance  pool,  CONTRACTOR  shall  provide  coverage
equivalent to the insurance  coverages and endorsements  required above.  COUNTY
will not accept such coverage unless COUNTY  determines,  in its sole discretion
and by  written  acceptance,  that  the  coverage  proposed  to be  provided  by
CONTRACTOR is equivalent to the aboverequired coverages.

F. All insurance  afforded by  CONTRACTOR  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall be
primary to and not contributing to any other insurance maintained by COUNTY.

G.  Insurance  coverages  in the minimum  amounts set forth  herein shall not be
construed to relieve CONTRACTOR for any liability,  whether within,  outside, or
in excess of such  coverage,  and  regardless  of solvency or  insolvency of the
insurer that issues the coverage;  nor shall it preclude COUNTY from taking such
other actions as are available to it under any other provision of this Agreement
or otherwise in law.

H. Failure by CONTRACTOR  to maintain all such  insurance in effect at all times
required by this Agreement shall be a material breach of this Agreement by

<PAGE>

CONTRACTOR.  COUNTY, at its sole option, may terminate this Agreement and obtain
damages from CONTRACTOR  resulting from said breach.  Alternatively,  COUNTY may
purchase  such  required  insurance  coverage,  and  without  further  notice to
CONTRACTOR,  COUNTY  shall deduct from sums due to  CONTRACTOR  any premiums and
associated  costs advanced or paid by COUNTY for such insurance.  If the balance
of monies obligated to CONTRACTOR pursuant to this Agreement are insufficient to
reimburse COUNTY for the premiums and any associated costs, CONTRACTOR agrees to
reimburse  COUNTY for the  premiums  and pay for all costs  associated  with the
purchase  of said  insurance.  Any  failure  by COUNTY to take this  alternative
action shall not relieve CONTRACTOR of its obligation to obtain and maintain the
insurance coverages required by this Agreement.

XII.     EVALUATION

Services to be provided by CONTRACTOR shall be evaluated by DEPARTMENT on a
continuing  basis. Any deficiencies  noted during evaluation shall be stated and
placed in detailed written form, and a copy submitted to CONTRACTOR.  CONTRACTOR
shall respond in writing to the  deficiencies  statement within twenty (20) days
from  the  date of  receipt.  A plan  to  remedy  these  deficiencies  shall  be
implemented within sixty (60) days from the date of the deficiencies  statement.
Failure to remedy  the stated  deficiencies  may  result in  termination  of the
Agreement by COUNTY.

XIII.    TERMINATION

COUNTY  may at its  election,  at any time and  without  cause,  terminate  this
Agreement by written notice to CONTRACTOR.  Said termination shall be deemed eff
ective ten (10) days after personal delivery, or fifteen (15) days after mailing
by regular U.S. mail, postage prepaid. In addition, either party may immediately
terminate this Agreement should the other party fail to substantially perform in
accordance  with the terms and conditions of this Agreement  through no fault of
the party initiating the termination.  In the event this Agreement is terminated
by either  CONTRACTOR  or COUNTY,  CONTRACTOR  shall submit to COUNTY all files,
memoranda, documents,  correspondence and other items generated in the course of
performing this Agreement,  within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of
termination.  Should either party  terminate this Agreement as provided  herein,
COUNTY shall pay CONTRACTOR for all satisfactory services rendered by CONTRACTOR
prior to the  effective  date of  termination  in an amount  not to  exceed  the
maximum dollar amount indicated in Section V. herein.

XIV.     NONAPPROPRIATION

This Agreement is subject to COUNTY'S annual appropriation process. In the event
that funds representing CONTRACTOR'S compensation and reimbursement for expenses
for the services provided pursuant to this Agreement are not appropriated within
the approved  COUNTY budget in any fiscal year,  this Agreement  shall be deemed
terminated  and shall be of no further  force or effect as of the date  COUNTY'S
budget is  approved.  COUNTY  will  provide  CONTRACTOR  with notice of any such
action.

XV.      NOTICES

<PAGE>

Notices  to be given by one party to the other  under  this  Agreement  shall be
given in writing  by  personal  delivery,  by  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested,  or express  delivery  service.  at the  addresses  specified  below.
Notices  delivered  personally shall be deemed received upon receipt;  mailed or
expressed notices shall be deemed received four (4) days after deposit.  A party
may  change  the  address  to which  notice is to be given by  giving  notice as
provided above.

Notice to COUNTY shall be addressed as follows:

Director
Kern County Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 511
Bakersfield, CA 93302

Notice to CONTRACTOR shall be addressed as follows:

President
L. L. Brown International, Inc.
19425 68" Avenue South, Suite S1 05
Kent, WA 98032

Nothing in this  Agreement  shall be construed to prevent or render  ineffective
delivery  of notices  required or  permitted  under this  Agreement  by personal
service.

XV1.     OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS

All reports,  documents  and other items  generated or gathered in the course of
providing  services  to COUNTY  under this  Agreement  are and shall  remain the
property of COUNTY,  and shall be returned to COUNTY upon full completion of all
services by CONTRACTOR or termination of this Agreement, whichever first occurs.

XVIL     CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The  parties  to this  Agreement  have read and are aware of the  provisions  of
Section 1090 et seq. and Section 87100 et seq. of the  Government  Code relating
to conflict of interest of public officers and employees. CONTRACTOR agrees that
they are unaware of any financial or economic  interest of any public officer or
employee of COUNTY  relating to this  Agreement.  It is further  understood  and
agreed that if such a financial  interest  does exist at the  inception  of this
Agreement,  COUNTY may  immediately  terminate  this Agreement by giving written
notice thereof. CONTRACTOR shall comply with the requirements of Government Code
Section 87100 et seq. during the term of this Agreement.

XVIII.   SOLE AGREEMENT

This document,  including all attachments hereto,  contains the entire agreement
between the parties relating to the services,  rights, obligations and covenants
contained  herein  and  assumed by the  parties  respectively.  No  inducements,
representations  or promises  have been made,  other than those  recited in this
Agreement.  No  oral  promise,  modification,  change  or  inducement  shall  be
effective or given any force or effect.

<PAGE>

XIX.     AUTHORITY TO BIND COUNTY

It is understood that  CONTRACTOR,  in  CONTRACTOR'S  performance of any and all
duties under this  Agreement,  has no authority to bind COUNTY to any agreements
or undertakings.

XX.      MODIFICATIONS OF AGREEMENT

This  Agreement  may be  modified  in  writing  only,  signed by the  parties in
interest at the time of the modification.

XXI.     NONWAIVER

No covenant or condition of this  Agreement  can be waived except by the written
consent of COUNTY.  Forbearance or indulgence by COUNTY in any regard whatsoever
shall not  constitute  a waiver of the  covenant or condition to be performed by
CONTRACTOR.  COUNTY  shall be entitled to invoke any remedy  available to COUNTY
under  this  Agreement  or by law  or in  equity  despite  said  forbearance  or
indulgence.

XXII.             CHOICE OF LAWNENUE

The  parties  hereto  agree  that  the  provisions  of  this  Agreement  will be
"construed  pursuant to the laws of the State of California.  This Agreement has
been entered into and is to be performed in the County of Kern. Accordingly, the
parties agree that the venue of any action  relating to this Agreement  shall be
in the County of Kern.

XXIII.            CONFIDENTIALITY

CONTRACTOR  shall not,  without  the  written  consent  of  COUNTY,  communicate
confidential information,  designated in writing or identified in this Agreement
as such, to any third party and shall protect such  information from inadvertent
disclosure  to any third party in the same manner  that they  protect  their own
confidential  information,  unless such  disclosure is required in response to a
validly  issued  subpoena  or other  process  of law.  Upon  completion  of this
Agreement, the provisions of this paragraph shall continue to survive.

XXIV.             ENFORCEMENT OF REMEDIES

No right or remedy herein conferred on or reserved to COUNTY is exclusive of any
other right or remedy herein or by law or equity provided or permitted, but each
shall be  cumulative  of every other right or remedy  given  hereunder or now or
hereafter  existing by law or in equity or by statute or  otherwise,  and may be
enforced concurrently or from time to time.

XXV.              SEVERABILITY

Should any part, term, portion or provision of this Agreement be decided finally
to be in conflict with any law of the United States or the State of  California,
or otherwise be  unenforceable  or  ineffectual,  the validity of the  remaining
parts, terms, portions, or provisions shall be deemed severable and shall not be
affected thereby, provided such

<PAGE>

remaining portions or provisions can be construed in substance to constitute the
agreement which the parties intended to enter into in the first instance.

XXVI.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

CONTRACTOR  shall  observe  and comply  with all  applicable  COUNTY,  State and
federal  laws,  ordinances,  rules and  regulations  now in effect or  hereafter
enacted,  each of which are hereby made a part hereof and incorporated herein by
reference.

XXVIL             CAPTIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Paragraph headings in this Agreement are used solely for convenience,  and shall
be wholly disregarded in the construction of this Agreement.

No  provision  of this  Agreement  shall be  interpreted  for or against a party
because that party or its legal representative drafted such provision,  and this
Agreement shall be construed as if jointly prepared by the parties.

XXVIII.           TIME OF ESSENCE

Time is hereby expressly  declared to be of the essence of this Agreement and of
each and every  provision  hereof,  and each such  provision is hereby  made'and
declared to be a material, necessary and essential part of this Agreement.

XXIX     COUNTERPARTS

This  Agreement may be executed  simultaneously  in any number of  counterparts,
each of which  shall be  deemed  an  original  but all of which  together  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

XXX      NONDISCRIMINATION

Neither CONTRACTOR,  nor any officer, agent, employee,  servant or subcontractor
of  CONTRACTOR  shall  discriminate  in  the  treatment  or  employment  of  any
individual or groups of  individuals  on the grounds of race,  color,  religion,
national origin, age or sex, either directly,  indirectly or through contractual
or other arrangements.

XXXI.    AUDIT, INSPECTION AND RETENTION OF RECORDS

CONTRACTOR  agrees to maintain and make  available to COUNTY  accurate books and
records  relative to all its activities  under this Agreement.  CONTRACTOR shall
permit  COUNTY to audit,  examine and make  excerpts and  transcripts  from such
records, and to conduct audits or reviews of all invoices, materials, records or
personnel or other data related to all other matters  covered by this Agreement.
CONTRACTOR  shall  maintain such data and records in an accessible  location and
condition  for a period of not less than  three (3) years from the date of final
payment  under  this  Agreement,  or until  after the  conclusion  of any audit,
whichever occurs last. The State of California  and/or any federal agency having
an  interest  in the  subject  of this  Agreement  shall  have the  same  rights
conferred upon COUNTY herein.

<PAGE>

XXXIL NONCOLLUSION COVENANT

CONTRACTOR  represents  and  agrees  that  it  has in no way  entered  into  any
contingent fee arrangement  with any firm or person  concerning the obtaining of
this Agreement with COUNTY.  CONTRACTOR has received from COUNTY no incentive or
special payments,  nor  considerations  not related to the provision of services
under this Agreement.

XXXIII. SIGNATURE AUTHORITY

Each party  represents that they have full power and authority to enter into and
perform this Agreement,  and the person signing this Agreement on behalf of each
party has been properly authorized and empowered to enter into this Agreement.

IN WITNESS TO WHICH, each party to this Agreement has signed this Agreement upon
the date indicated,  and agrees, for itself, its employees,  officers,  partners
and  successors,  to be  fully  bound.  by all  terms  and  conditions  of  this
Agreement.

                                        COUNTY OF KERN

Dated: May -9 2000                      By /s/ Kenneth W Peterson
                                        --------------------------
                                        Chairman, Board of Supervisors
                                        "County"

                                        L.L. BROWN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Dated:                                  By /s/ Caroly Scott Brown
                                        --------------------------
                                        Carolyn Scott Brown, President
                                        Taxpayer ID #91-1566134
                                        "CONTRACTOR"

                                        APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
                                        Kern County Department of Human Services

Dated: 4/28/00                          By /s/ Pat Chendle for
                                        --------------------------
                                        Kathleen M. Irvine, Director

                                        APPROVED AS TO FORM:
                                        Office of the County Counsel

Dated: 4/21/00                          By /s/ Martin Lee
                                        --------------------------
                                        Martin Lee, Deputy County Counsel

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}]]