RES CARE INC /KY/
8-K, 1997-08-14
NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             -----------------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                             -----------------------


                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                                  July 31, 1997

                                 RES-CARE, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    KENTUCKY
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

        0-20372                                         61-0875371
(Commission File Number)                   (I.R.S. Employee Identification No.)

10140 LINN STATION ROAD, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY                   40223
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)

              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (502) 394-2100


<PAGE>   2



ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         On July 31, 1997, Res-Care, Inc. (the "Registrant") acquired all of 
the outstanding stock of Communications Network Consultants, Inc. ("CNC"), a
Rhode Island corporation, from its shareholders, D. Richard Greer, Robert V.
Greer and Alicia Greer Austin. CNC provides supported living services to persons
with disabilities, including mental retardation, in North Carolina.

         The purchase price was an aggregate of $28,000,000 subject to increase
for cash and accounts receivable and reduction for liabilities and subject to
reduction based on the earnings for the first three years after the acquisition
compared to benchmarks as outlined in the Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Earn
Out"). The purchase price was paid with $16,500,000 cash subject to the
adjustments for cash, accounts receivables and liabilities, a promissory note
for $2,500,000 payable in two equal annual installments, and a non-interest
bearing promissory note for $9,000,000 payable in three equal annual
installments subject to reduction for the Earn-Out. The funds for the
acquisition came from existing cash and the Registrant's revolving line of
credit facility with PNC Bank, Kentucky, Inc.; National City Bank of Kentucky;
SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A.; Bank One, Kentucky, NA; and Wachovia Bank, NA.

         The consideration for the acquisition was determined by negotiations
between the parties based primarily on pro forma earnings, cash flow
calculations, and on the value of the geographic scope of the operations to be
acquired and CNC's established relationships with governmental agencies.

         The Company has entered into Employment Agreements and Non-Competition,
Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreements with each of the sellers. The
consideration for each Non-Competition, Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation
Agreement is $1,000,000.00.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)      Financial Statements of Sellers.

         It is impracticable to provide the required financial statements for
the acquired business at the time this report on Form 8-K is filed. Therefore,
the required financial statements will be filed as soon as practicable, but not
later than 60 days after the report on Form 8-K must be filed.

         (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information of Sellers.

                                        2


<PAGE>   3



         It is impracticable to provide the required financial information for
the acquired business at the time this report on Form 8-K is filed. Therefore,
the required financial information will be filed as soon as practicable, but not
later than 60 days after the report on Form 8-K must be filed.

         (c)      Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

     EXHIBIT
       NO.                            DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
     -------                          -----------------------

Exhibit 2-1       Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Res-Care, Inc. and 
                  Richard Greer, Robert Greer and Alicia Greer Austin dated 
                  July 31, 1997.

Exhibit 2-2       Promissory Notes from Res-Care, Inc. to Richard Greer, Robert
                  Greer, and Alicia Greer Austin dated July 31, 1997

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                     RES-CARE, INC.

                                     By:  /s/   Ronald G. Geary
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Ronald G. Geary
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: August 14, 1997
      -------------

                                        3


<PAGE>   4


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       SEQUENTIALLY
      EXHIBIT                                                                          NUMBERED
        NO.                                    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                 PAGE NUMBER
        ---                                    -----------------------                 -----------
<S>                  <C>                                                              <C>
Exhibit 2-1          Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Res-Care, Inc. and
                     Richard Greer, Robert Greer and Alicia Greer Austin dated
                     July 31, 1997.

EXHIBIT 2-2          Promissory Notes from Res-Care, Inc. to Richard Greer,
                     Robert Greer, and Alicia Greer Austin Dated July 31, 1997

</TABLE>

                                        4



<PAGE>   1


                                                                     Exhibit 2.1
                                                                     -----------
                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------


         THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of July 31, 1997,
by and between (i) RES-CARE, INC., a Kentucky corporation ("Buyer"), and (ii)(A)
RICHARD GREER ("Richard"), (B) ROBERT GREER ("Robert"), and (C) ALICIA GREER
AUSTIN (individually, a "Seller" and collectively, the "Sellers").

         WHEREAS, the Sellers own all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock (the "Shares") of Communications Network Consultants, Inc., a Rhode Island
corporation (the "Company").

         WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to
purchase from the Sellers, all the Shares, being all the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company, all on the terms and subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                              SALE AND TRANSFER OF
                         SHARES; CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE
                         -------------------------------

         1.1 SALE AND TRANSFER OF SHARES. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Sellers shall sell to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from
the Sellers, at the Closing (as defined in Section 1.5 hereof), the Shares.

         1.2 DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES. At the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver
to Buyer certificates in definitive form, registered in the name of the Sellers,
evidencing the Shares, duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by stock
transfer powers duly endorsed in blank, with all requisite stock transfer taxes
paid and stamps affixed, if any.

         1.3 PURCHASE PRICE; PAYMENT.
             ------------------------

             (a)    The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the Shares shall
         be equal to an aggregate of $28,000,000, subject to adjustment in
         accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section
         1.3 and subject to reduction in accordance with the provisions of
         subparagraph (b)(iii) of this Section 1.3 by reason of the Company's
         failure to satisfy the earnings goals set forth in such subparagraph.

             (b)     The Purchase Price shall be paid by --

                     (i) Buyer's delivery to Sellers at the Closing of a wire
              transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts
              designated in writing by Sellers in the amount equal to
              $16,500,000 (the "Closing Payment"). The Closing 


                                                    

<PAGE>   2

              Payment shall be adjusted as follows as of 12:01 a.m. on the
              Closing Date (as  defined in Section 1.5 hereof), but after
              taking into account the AAA Distributions (as defined in Section
              1.3(c) hereof):

                            (A) increased by the book value of all cash and
                     accounts receivable of the Company (after giving effect to
                     the AAA Distributions); and

                            (B) decreased by the fair value of all liabilities
                     (other than liabilities or other payables to or shareholder
                     loans from the Sellers) and accrued obligations of the
                     Company, including (i) liabilities to any financial
                     institution and (ii) any accrued and unused vacation pay of
                     the Company's employees (whether or not earned).

              As promptly as practicable, but in any event not later than sixty
              (60) days after the Closing Date, the Buyer and the Company shall
              cause to be prepared and delivered to the Sellers a statement (the
              "Statement") of the adjustments, if any, required by subparagraph
              (b)(i)(A) and (B) of this Section 1.3, which statement shall be
              audited by Buyer's certified public accountants and certified by
              such firm to have been prepared in accordance with generally
              accepted accounting principles consistently applied and in
              substantially the manner used to prepare the Company's financial
              statements for the period ending December 31, 1996. Subject to the
              next literary paragraph, within fifteen (15) days after delivery
              to Sellers of the Statement, (x) the Sellers jointly and severally
              agree to pay to Buyer the amount, if any, by which the adjustments
              in subparagraph (b)(i)(B) exceed the adjustments in subparagraph
              (b)(i)(A) and (y) the Buyer agrees to pay to the Sellers the
              amount, if any, by which the adjustments in subparagraph (b)(i)(A)
              exceed the adjustments in subparagraph (b)(i)(B) (the amounts
              payable pursuant to clauses (x) and (y) are hereinafter referred
              to collectively as the "Purchase Price Adjustment"). The Purchase
              Price Adjustment shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately
              available funds. The parties shall treat any payment made pursuant
              to this subparagraph (b)(i) as an adjustment to the Purchase Price
              for all purposes.

                     If Sellers in good faith disagree with the Statement, then
              Sellers shall notify the Buyer in writing (the "Notice of
              Disagreement") of such disagreement within fifteen (15) days after
              delivery of the Statement to Sellers. The Notice of Disagreement
              shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for the
              disagreement. Thereafter, the Buyer and the Sellers shall attempt
              in good faith to resolve and finally determine the Statement. If
              Buyer and Sellers are unable to resolve the disagreement within
              fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Notice of Disagreement,
              then Buyer and Sellers shall select a mutually acceptable,
              nationally recognized independent accounting firm (such accounting
              firm being hereinafter referred to as the "Independent
              Accountant") to resolve the disputed items and make a written
              determination with respect thereto. Such determination will be
              made, and written notice thereof given to Buyer and Sellers,
              within thirty (30) days after such

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

              selection. The determination by the Independent Accountant shall
              be final, binding and conclusive upon the parties. The scope of
              such firm's engagement (which shall not be an audit) shall be
              limited to the resolution of the items contained in the Notice of
              Disagreement and the recalculation, if any, of the Statement in
              light of such resolution. The fees, costs and expenses in
              connection with the preparation of the Statement shall be the sole
              responsibility of the Buyer. Any fees, costs or expenses of
              Sellers in connection with their review of the Statement shall be
              the sole responsibility of Sellers. The fees, costs and expenses
              of the Independent Accountant, if any, selected in accordance with
              this paragraph will be shared equally by Buyer, on the one hand,
              and Sellers, on the other hand. Within ten (10) days of delivery
              of a notice of determination by the Independent Accountant as
              described above, any adjustment shall be paid as provided in the
              preceding literary paragraph. Any portion of the Purchase Price
              Adjustment not in dispute shall be paid when due.

                     (ii) Buyer's delivery to Sellers at the Closing of a
              promissory note payable to Sellers in the principal amount of
              $2,500,000 (the "First Note"), payable in two (2) equal
              installments of $1,250,000, plus interest accrued on the
              outstanding principal amount of the First Note at a rate per annum
              equal to seven percent (7%), on the first and second anniversaries
              of the Closing Date. The First Note shall be in the form attached
              hereto as Exhibit A. All amounts payable under the First Note
              shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
              one or more accounts designated in a written notice delivered by
              Sellers to Buyer; and

                     (iii) Buyer's delivery to Sellers at the Closing of a
              promissory note payable to Sellers in the principal amount of
              $9,000,000 (the "Second Note"), payable in three equal annual
              installments of $3,000,000 (subject to reduction as provided
              below) on the respective Earn-out Dates (as defined below). The
              Second Note shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. All
              amounts payable under the Second Note shall be paid by wire
              transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts
              designated in a written notice delivered by Sellers to Buyer.
              Interest shall be payable on each principal installment of the
              Second Note only in the circumstances described below in the last
              literary paragraph of this subparagraph (iii). The term "Earn-out
              Dates" shall collectively refer to the respective dates which are
              thirty (30) days after the delivery by the firm of certified
              public accountants, which are then the auditors of Buyer's
              consolidated financial statements, of the separate balance sheet
              and related statements of income, cash flows and stockholder's
              equity for the Company (the "Company Financial Statements") for
              the 12-month period (the "First Measurement Period") beginning on
              the first day of the month after the Closing Date (the "1998
              Earn-out Date"), the 12-month period (the "Second Measurement
              Period") beginning on the day after the last day in the First
              Measurement Period (the "1999 Earn-out Date") and the 12-month
              period (the "Third Measurement Period") beginning on the day after
              the last day in the Second Measurement Period (the "2000 Earn-out
              Date"). Not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each
              Measurement Period, the Buyer will 


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

              deliver to the Sellers the Company Financial Statements and a
              statement (the "Earn-out Statement") showing the amount and
              calculation of the reduction, if any, contemplated by clause (A),
              (B) or (C) below, as applicable. The computation of any such
              reduction shall be certified by Buyer's certified public
              accountants as having been prepared in accordance with clause (A),
              (B) or (C) below, as applicable. The respective installments
              payable under the Second Note shall be subject to reduction as
              follows:

                            (A) The installment payable on the 1998 Earn-out
                     Date shall be reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be
                     zero) if the Company Earnings (as defined below) for the
                     First Measurement Period do not equal or exceed $3,552,000.
                     The installment payable on the 1998 Earn- out Date shall
                     not be reduced and shall be $3,000,000 if the Company
                     Earnings for the First Measurement Period equal or exceed
                     $4,868,000. If the Company Earnings for the First
                     Measurement Period are between $4,868,000 and $3,552,000,
                     the installment payable on the 1998 Earn-out Date shall be
                     equal to the product of (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the
                     Company Earnings for the First Measurement Period minus
                     $3,552,000, divided by (B) $1,316,000.

                            (B) The installment payable on the 1999 Earn-out
                     Date shall be reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be
                     zero) if the Company Earnings for the Second Measurement
                     Period do not equal or exceed $4,868,000. The installment
                     payable on the 1999 Earn-out Date shall not be reduced and
                     shall be $3,000,000 if the Company Earnings for the Second
                     Measurement Period equal or exceed $5,842,000. If the
                     Company Earnings for the Second Measurement Period are
                     between $5,842,000 and $4,868,000, the installment payable
                     on the 1999 Earn-out Date shall be equal to the product of
                     (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the Company Earnings for the
                     Second Measurement Period minus $4,868,000, divided by (B)
                     $974,000.

                            (C) The installment payable on the 2000 Earn-out
                     Date shall be reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be
                     zero) if the Company Earnings for the Third Measurement
                     Period do not equal or exceed $5,842,000. The installment
                     payable on the 2000 Earn-out Date shall not be reduced and
                     shall be $3,000,000 if the Company Earnings for the Third
                     Measurement Period equal or exceed $7,010,000. If the
                     Company Earnings for the Third Measurement Period are
                     between $7,010,000 and $5,842,000, the installment payable
                     on the 2000 Earn-out Date shall be equal to the product of
                     (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the Company Earnings for the
                     Third Measurement Period minus $5,842,000, divided by (B)
                     $1,168,000.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

              "Company Earnings" means the Company's earnings, determined in
              accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
              consistently applied, before (x) the following expenses, to the
              extent solely attributable to the consummation of the transactions
              contemplated herein: any (A) interest, (B) depreciation and (C)
              amortization of goodwill; (y) income taxes and (z) any corporate
              or regional overhead charges from Buyer. Company Earnings shall
              include the sum of the Inside New Business Earnings and the
              Outside New Business Earnings (as such terms are defined below).
              To the extent that the Company Earnings for the First Measurement
              Period exceed $4,868,000, such excess shall be carried forward and
              added to the Company Earnings for the Second Measurement Period.
              To the extent that the Company Earnings for the Second Measurement
              Period (as adjusted pursuant to the immediately preceding
              sentence) exceed $5,842,000, such excess shall be carried forward
              and added to the Company Earnings for the Third Measurement
              Period.

                     The Inside New Business Earnings shall mean the excess of
              (1) earnings relating to the provision of services to persons
              located in North Carolina from any Inside New Business (as defined
              below) entered into by the Company, whether or not carried on by
              Buyer at or subsequent to the Closing Date over (2) the INB Pro
              Forma Hurdle (as defined below) for such Inside New Business. For
              purposes of this paragraph, the term "Inside New Business" shall
              mean any business providing services to persons located in North
              Carolina which is not Outside New Business (as defined below).
              During any Measurement Period, neither the Company nor Buyer nor
              any of Buyer's affiliates will enter into any Inside New Business
              or acquire any assets relating to, or stock or other equity
              interests in any entity conducting, an Inside New Business unless
              Sellers and Buyer agree in writing on the terms of such entry or
              acquisition, including the INB Pro Forma Hurdle applicable to such
              Inside New Business. "INB Pro Forma Hurdle" means, with respect to
              any Inside New Business, the anticipated first year earnings for
              such Inside New Business calculated on a pro forma basis and
              mutually agreed to by Buyer and Sellers, except that in the case
              of any Inside New Business the entry into or acquisition of which
              is not accomplished through or as a result of an acquisition of
              assets, operating rights or previously existing equity interests,
              the INB Pro Forma Hurdle applicable to such Inside New Business
              shall be zero, and all start-up costs and start-up expenses of
              such Inside New Business shall be amortized over a period equal to
              the lesser of five (5) years or the duration of the principal
              contract under which the services are being rendered. Except as
              reflected in the INB Pro Forma Hurdle for any Inside New Business,
              interest expense on indebtedness incurred in connection with
              entering into or acquiring any Inside New Business shall not
              reduce Company Earnings for any Measurement Period.

                     The Outside New Business Earnings shall mean the excess of
              (1) earnings relating to the provision of services to persons
              located in North Carolina from any Outside New Business over (2)
              the ONB Pro Forma Hurdle (as defined below) for such Outside New
              Business. The term "Outside New Business" shall be limited


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

              to the management and/or operation of prisons or other facilities
              or programs for adjudicated youth and the management and/or
              operation of job corps centers. "ONB Pro Forma Hurdle" means, with
              respect to any Outside New Business, the anticipated first year
              earnings for such Outside New Business, calculated on a pro forma
              basis as approved by the President of Buyer or his designee, and
              otherwise used by Buyer for purposes of forecasting its earnings.
              Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Outside New Business Earnings
              which may be added to the Company Earnings shall not exceed a
              cumulative amount equal to $2,200,000 (the "Outside Earnings
              Limitation").

                     Any amount of Outside New Business Earnings included in
              Company Earnings for any Measurement Period shall reduce the
              Outside Earnings Limitation for purposes of any succeeding
              Measurement Period.

                     During any Measurement Period, the Company will not begin
              operations in states other than North Carolina ("New States")
              without the prior written approval of Sellers and a mutual
              agreement of Buyer and Sellers on the treatment, for purposes of
              determining Company Earnings during any Measurement Period, of
              earnings from operations in New States. Nothing in this paragraph
              shall restrict Buyer's ability or discretion to enter into
              transactions or acquisitions and/or develop any business or
              operations in any state other than North Carolina or to engage in
              any business activity in North Carolina in any Outside New
              Business, either directly by Buyer or through one or more of its
              subsidiaries or affiliates (other than Company or any of its
              subsidiaries).

                     During any Measurement Period, any borrowing by Company
              from Buyer or advance to Company from Buyer shall bear interest at
              the same rate of interest which is then effective for such
              borrowings by Buyer under its principal credit facility.
              Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding sentence, solely
              for purposes of calculating Company Earnings under this paragraph
              (iii), during any Measurement Period, to the extent that the
              aggregate outstanding principal balance of such borrowings or
              advances does not exceed the aggregate after-tax Company Earnings
              during the Measurement Periods which have been distributed to
              Buyer by Company as a dividend (determined at the close of each
              Measurement Period), such borrowings or advances shall not bear
              interest.

                     For purposes of calculating the Company Earnings as set
              forth above, Buyer will not charge the Company with corporate or
              regional office overhead of Buyer without the mutual agreement of
              Buyer and Sellers.

                     Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this
              Agreement, no Seller shall have any right to withhold his or her
              consent with respect to any business decision by the Company if
              such Seller is not then an employee of the Company. Unless he is
              no longer an employee of the Company, Richard shall be designated

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

              by all the Sellers as authorized to give and/or withhold consent
              with respect to any such business decision.

                     If Sellers in good faith disagree with any Earn-out
              Statement, then Sellers shall notify Buyer in writing (the "Notice
              of Earn-out Disagreement") of such disagreement within ten (10)
              days after delivery of the Earn-out Statement to Sellers. The
              Notice of Earn-out Disagreement shall set forth in reasonable
              detail the basis for the disagreement. Thereafter, Buyer and
              Sellers shall attempt in good faith to resolve and finally
              determine the applicable Earn-out Statement. If Buyer and Sellers
              are unable to resolve the disagreement within five (5) days after
              delivery of the Notice of Earn-out Disagreement, then Buyer and
              Sellers shall select an Independent Accountant to resolve the
              disputed items and make a written determination with respect
              thereto. Such determination will be made, and written notice
              thereof given to Buyer and Sellers, within thirty (30) days after
              such selection. The determination by the Independent Accountant
              shall be final, binding and conclusive upon Buyer and Sellers. The
              scope of such firm's engagement (which shall not be an audit)
              shall be limited to the resolution of the items contained in the
              Notice of Earn-out Disagreement and the recalculation, if any, of
              the applicable Earn-out Statement in light of such resolution. The
              fees, costs and expenses of Buyer in connection with the
              preparation of the Earn-out Statement shall be the sole
              responsibility of Buyer. The fees, costs or expenses of Sellers in
              connection with their review of any Earn-out Statement shall be
              the sole responsibility of Sellers. The fees, costs and expenses
              of the Independent Accountant, if any, selected in accordance with
              this paragraph will be shared equally by Buyer, on the one hand,
              and Sellers, on the other hand. Within ten (10) days of delivery
              of a notice of determination by the Independent Accountant as
              described above, the installment payable on the applicable
              Earn-out Date shall be paid as provided in subparagraph
              (b)(iii)(A), (B) or (C) above, as applicable. Any portion of the
              installment payable on the applicable Earn-out Date not in dispute
              shall be paid when due.

                     The unpaid outstanding balance of any installment payable
              under the Second Note shall bear interest at a rate per annum
              equal to seven percent (7%) from the applicable Earn-out Date to
              and including the date such balance of such installment is
              actually paid to Sellers. However, if (i) such installment is not
              paid within sixty (60) days after the applicable Earn-out Date and
              (ii) Buyer has not paid that portion of the installment payable
              which is not in dispute or is not disputing the balance of such
              installment in good faith, then, in lieu of the interest
              contemplated by the preceding sentence, such installment shall
              bear interest at a rate per annum equal to ten percent (10%) from
              the applicable Earn-out Date to and including the date the balance
              of such installment is actually paid to Sellers. The Independent
              Accountant shall be authorized to determine whether Buyer's
              dispute of any portion of any installment is not in good faith,
              and such determination shall be binding on the parties hereto.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

              (c) At the Closing, the Company will distribute to Sellers, pro
       rata in accordance with their interests as shareholders of the Company
       prior to the Closing, an amount equal to of the balance of the
       accumulated adjustments account (as defined in section 1368(e) of the
       Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code")) of the Company as of
       12:01 a.m., on the Closing Date (the "AAA Distributions"). The AAA
       Distributions shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available
       funds to one or more accounts designated in a written notice delivered by
       Sellers to Buyer.

              (d) On the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Sellers shall
       pay to the Company an amount equal to the then uncollected balance of the
       accounts receivable taken into account in calculating the Purchase Price
       pursuant to Section 1.3(b)(i)(A) above. To the extent Sellers have so
       reimbursed the Company, the Company shall assign such uncollected
       accounts receivable (the "Uncollected Accounts Receivable") to Sellers
       for collection. Sellers shall not take any action in connection with any
       collection efforts with respect to the Uncollected Accounts Receivable
       which would damage or impair the Company's goodwill or relationships with
       its clients or the Agencies (as defined in Section 2.9 hereof). After the
       Uncollected Accounts Receivable have been assigned to Sellers in
       accordance with this paragraph (d), Buyer shall not, and shall cause the
       Company not to, take any actions that would damage or impair the ability
       of Sellers to collect the outstanding balance of any Uncollected Accounts
       Receivable.

              (e) An example of the calculation of the Purchase Price is set
       forth on Exhibit C hereto, which calculation is based on the assumptions
       set forth on such Exhibit C.


       1.4 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES. At the Closing, the parties
further agree that the following agreements and documents shall be executed and
delivered (as applicable) by the parties thereto and the respective parties
further covenant as follows:

              (a) SELLERS' EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. At the Closing, each of the
       Sellers shall execute and deliver a mutually satisfactory employment
       agreement with the Company providing for the continuation of their
       employment with the Company for a period of three (3) years after the
       Closing. The form and substance of each such employment agreement is
       attached hereto as Exhibits D-1 through D-3 respectively (the "Sellers'
       Employment Agreements").

              (b) NONCOMPETITION AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. At the Closing,
       each of the Sellers and Buyer shall execute a noncompetition and
       confidentiality agreement ("Noncompetition Agreement"), in the form and
       containing the provisions set forth on Exhibits E-1 through E-3
       respectively. In consideration for each of the Sellers' noncompetition,
       nonsolicitation and confidentiality covenants in the Noncompetition
       Agreements, Buyer will deliver to each of the Sellers at the Closing a
       wire transfer of immediately available federal funds in the aggregate
       amount of $1,000,000 to one or more accounts specified in a written
       notice delivered by each such Seller to Buyer.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

              (c) LEASE OF SELLER REAL PROPERTY. At the Closing, any current
       leases between Sellers or their affiliates and the Company relating to
       any real property presently used by the Company ("Seller Real Property")
       will be amended and restated pursuant to separate lease agreements (the
       "Company Leases") providing for (i) monthly rent in the same amounts
       previously applicable thereto (but not in excess of a fair market rental
       rate), (ii) an initial term of five (5) years, commencing on the Closing
       Date, (iii) one (1) renewal option in favor of the Company having a term
       of five (5) years, on the same terms and conditions as the initial term,
       (iv) provisions granting to the Company the right, subject to the prior
       written approval of the Sellers (which approval, (A) if requested during
       any period in which any of the Sellers are President or Chief Executive
       Officer of the Company, shall not be unreasonably withheld and (B) if
       requested during any period during which any of the Sellers is not
       President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, may be granted or
       withheld in the sole discretion of the Sellers), to sublease such Seller
       Real Property and granting to the Company or its sublessees, subject to
       the prior written approval of the Sellers (which approval, (A) if
       requested during any period in which any of the Sellers are President or
       Chief Executive Officer of the Company, shall not be unreasonably
       withheld and (B) if requested during any period during which any of the
       Sellers is not President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, may
       be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Sellers), reasonable
       alternative use of such Seller Real Property, (v) an option to purchase
       in favor of the Company exercisable at any time during the initial term
       or any renewal term at fair market value, using the appraisal methodology
       described below, and (vi) such other terms and provisions as to which the
       parties mutually agree. In addition, to the extent that any of the
       Company Leases was, as of May 31, 1997, a triple-net lease, such Company
       Lease, as amended and restated, shall continue to be a triple-net lease.
       For purposes of this paragraph, the fair market value of a parcel of
       Seller Real Property for which the option is being exercised shall be
       determined by mutual agreement of Buyer and Sellers, or in the absence of
       such agreement, by an independent appraiser mutually acceptable to such
       parties. If such parties cannot mutually agree to the selection of an
       appraiser, each party shall select its own appraiser, who shall each
       determine the fair market value of the parcel of Seller Real Property
       being purchased and sold. If the values determined by such appraisers
       shall not differ by more than five percent (5%) of the average of such
       values, the fair market value of such parcel of Seller Real Property
       shall be the average of the values determined by such appraisers. If such
       values differ by more than five percent (5%) of the average of such
       values, the appraisers shall mutually select a third independent
       appraiser who shall perform a third appraisal, which appraisal shall be
       binding on the parties. One-half of the expenses of any appraiser
       mutually selected by the parties or mutually selected by their appraisers
       shall be paid by each party. The expenses of any appraiser selected by
       any party without the consent of the other party shall be borne by the
       party selecting such appraiser. If requested by Sellers, the Company
       shall reasonably cooperate with Sellers in closing any purchase by the
       Company of any parcel of Seller Real Property as a "like-kind" exchange
       within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Code (as then applicable to
       such transaction). In connection therewith, Sellers shall engage a
       qualified intermediary to effect such exchange and Sellers shall
       reimburse the Company for any additional costs incurred by the Company 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

       by reason of such "like-kind" exchange. The Company Leases, as amended
       and restated, will be in the form and substance attached hereto as
       Exhibits F-1 through F-3.

              (d) PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS. After the Closing, the Buyer
       shall assume or terminate, or cause the Company to continue or terminate,
       any pension and/or profit sharing plans maintained by the Company prior
       to the Closing Date (the "Company Plans") at Company's sole cost. During
       any Measurement Period, any termination of any of the Company Plans which
       is not required by applicable law shall be subject to the consent of
       Sellers. Except for their indemnification obligations under Article VI
       with respect to the Company Plans, after the Closing Date, Sellers shall
       have no liability whatsoever to Buyer, Company or any employee of Company
       in respect of any Company Plan.

              (e) RELEASE OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES. At or prior to the Closing,
       the Company shall be released from any and all liability or obligation
       with respect to any Seller Real Property, including but not limited to
       any liability as a co-maker or a guarantor, other than its obligations
       under the Company Leases, shall be released from any such liability or
       obligation on any indebtedness to any Seller or any affiliate thereof,
       and shall be released from any liability or obligation (including but not
       limited to any obligation as a guarantor) on any indebtedness of any
       Seller or any affiliate thereof.

              (f) SECTION 338(H)(10) ELECTION. At the option of Buyer, the
       Company and Buyer shall make an election (the "Election") under Section
       338(h)(10) of the Code. If Buyer makes the Election, each of Sellers
       shall consent to the Election, in the form and manner prescribed in the
       applicable Treasury Regulations. In the event the Election is made, the
       Buyer shall (i) pay to each Seller an amount in cash equal to any
       incremental income tax liability (including interest and penalties) of
       any such Seller relating to or arising out of (A) the Election (which
       shall be the excess of (I) the amount of such taxes which are payable by
       such Seller taking the Election into account over (II) the amount of such
       taxes which would have been payable by such Seller had the Election not
       been made) and (B) the Buyer's agreement to pay any such income tax
       liability of such Seller arising out of the Election, (ii) indemnify each
       Seller for any and all liabilities subsequently imposed on such Seller
       within the scope of clause (i) above as a result of the Internal Revenue
       Service or any state tax authority challenging or examining the Election
       at any date after the Election is made, and (iii) assume all obligations
       for federal and state income taxes imposed on built-in gains of the
       Company pursuant to Section 1374 of the Code which are attributable to
       the Election. Any amount payable pursuant to clause (i) of this Section
       1.4(f) shall be paid to each Seller no later than the initial due date of
       such Seller's tax return on which such incremental income tax is
       reflected, and any amount payable pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section
       1.4(f) shall be paid to each Seller no later than the date such amount is
       due to the relevant taxing authority. Any amount so paid to Sellers by
       Buyer shall immediately be paid by the respective Seller to the relevant
       taxing authority in satisfaction of such tax liability. Buyer shall have
       the right to control the resolution of any issue between any Seller and
       any taxing authority which is subject to Buyer's indemnification
       obligations under this Section 1.4(f) and no Seller shall file any tax
       return

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

       or claim for refund inconsistent therewith. The indemnification
       obligations set forth in the preceding sentence shall survive the Closing
       for the applicable statute of limitations.

              (g) LIABILITY OF COMPANY TO SELLERS. To the extent any liabilities
       of the Company to Sellers have been excluded from Section 1.3(b)(i)(B)
       hereof or have not reduced the Purchase Price payable to Sellers, at the
       Closing, all of such liabilities shall be deemed satisfied and released
       by Sellers and Sellers shall execute such documentation which is
       reasonably requested by Buyer to reflect the same.

              (h) ELECTION TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Effective immediately after
       the Closing, and for any period that such individual is employed by the
       Company, each of Richard and Robert shall become members of the Board of
       Directors of the Company. The parties hereto contemplate that such Board
       shall have at least five (5) members and Sellers consent to any amendment
       to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company to permit the
       same.

              (i) COMPANY STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES. During the Measurement
       Periods, the Company shall be operated as a separately incorporated
       subsidiary of Buyer. Except as required by generally accepted accounting
       principles or as required by the Agencies or any third-party payor of the
       Company, Buyer will not cause the Company to alter its accounting
       procedures or operations without the consent of Sellers.

       1.5 CLOSING. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Fennebresque,
Clark, Swindell & Hay, NationsBank Corporate Center, Suite 2900, 100 North Tryon
Street, Charlotte, North Carolina on July 31, 1997, at 9:00 a.m., prevailing
local time, or such earlier or later date as shall be reasonably necessary to
secure the consents and approvals described in Section 4.1(e) or as the Sellers
and Buyer may mutually agree (the date and time of the Closing is herein called
the "Closing Date").

                                   ARTICLE II

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                 OF THE SELLERS
                                 --------------

       The Sellers represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

       2.1 ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND CORPORATE POWER; SUBSIDIARIES. The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Rhode Island and is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing in the State of North Carolina.
Neither the assets nor properties owned nor the nature of the business conducted
by the Company makes qualification as a foreign corporation necessary in any
other state. The Company has the corporate power and authority, and the legal
right, to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as
currently conducted. The Company does not have any subsidiaries or own any
shares of stock or any equity interest in any corporation or own any interest in
any partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

       2.2 AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS, ETC. Subject only to the approval by the
Agencies of the transfer of the Licenses, each of the Sellers has full legal
capacity and power to execute and deliver this Agreement to which he or she is a
party and to perform his or her obligations hereunder and thereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder. Such execution, delivery and
performance by the Sellers as above provided in this Section 2.2, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, will not
violate (i) any provision of law, any order of any court or other agency of
government or any judgment, award or decree applicable to Sellers or the
Company, (ii) the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, or (iii)
any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument, to which either
any of the Sellers or the Company is a party, or by which any of the Sellers,
the Company, or any of his, her or its, as the case may be, properties or assets
is bound or affected, or result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or
lapse of time or both) a default under any such indenture, agreement or other
instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of any pledge, security
interest, lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever (each, a "Lien")
upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Sellers or the Company, or
result in any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of
any License (as defined in Section 2.13 hereof).

       2.3 VALIDITY. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each
of the Sellers and, subject to due execution by Buyer, constitutes, and the
other agreements to be executed by the respective Seller as contemplated herein,
when executed and delivered by each of the Sellers as contemplated hereby,
subject to due execution by the other parties thereto, will constitute, the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Sellers, enforceable against the
Sellers in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable
reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors'
rights generally from time to time in effect and the effects of general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).

       2.4 TITLE TO SHARES. Each of the Sellers is the holder of record and
beneficial owner of the Shares as shown on Schedule 2.4 attached hereto, free
and clear of any and all Liens. The delivery by the Sellers of certificates
evidencing the Shares, duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by stock
transfer powers duly endorsed in blank, to Buyer pursuant to Section 1.2 above,
against payment therefor pursuant to Section 1.3 above, will transfer valid
title to all of the Shares to Buyer, free and clear of any and all Liens, other
than Liens created or imposed by the actions of Buyer. There is no "adverse
claim" within the meaning of Section 8-302 of North Carolina Uniform Commercial
Code with respect to the Shares.

       2.5 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized and issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Company is set forth in Schedule 2.5 attached hereto. Each of the
Shares is validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable. The
Shares are all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company and
there is no other outstanding equity interest in the Company. Except as provided
in Section 5.02 of the Company's Bylaws, none of the Shares is subject to any
right of first refusal or other similar right in favor of any person or entity.
Except for the obligations of the Sellers to Buyer under this Agreement, (i) no
subscription, warrant, option, convertible security or other right (contingent
or other) to purchase or acquire any shares of any class of capital stock of the
Company is authorized or outstanding, (ii) there is not any commitment of the

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

Company to issue any shares, warrants, options or other such rights or to
distribute to holders of any class of its capital stock any evidences of
indebtedness or assets, and (iii) the Company has no obligation (contingent or
otherwise) to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of the capital
stock of the Company or any interest therein or to pay any dividend or make any
other distribution in respect thereof.

       2.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Sellers have previously delivered to Buyer
(i) the unaudited balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1996, and the
related unaudited statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for
the year then ended (collectively, the "Historical Financial Statements"),
compiled by Huntley, Sigmon, Walton & Wilson, the Company's Certified Public
Accountants (the "Company CPAs"), and (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the
Company as of May 31, 1997 (the "Acquisition Balance Sheet") and the related
unaudited statement of income for the year-to-date period then ending, prepared
by the Company (together with the Acquisition Balance Sheet, the "Closing
Financial Statements"). The Historical Financial Statements and the Closing
Financial Statements (x) were prepared from the books and records of the Company
and (y) present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the
Company as of the respective dates specified therein, and the income, cash flows
and stockholders' equity for the respective periods then ended, all in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis (subject, in the case of the Closing Financial Statements, to normal
year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

       2.7 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as and to the extent
(i)(A) reflected in the Acquisition Balance Sheet or (B) incurred since December
31, 1996 in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) set forth on Schedule 2.7
hereto, the Company has no liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature for
which appropriate accruals or reserves have not been maintained as reflected in
the Closing Financial Statements (whether secured or unsecured, absolute, 
accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due, including but
not limited to any obligation to repay any amount previously received for
services rendered or any accrued and unused vacation or sick pay of the
Company's employees (whether or not earned)) for any period ending on or before
the date thereof, which liabilities or obligations would be required to be
reflected on a balance sheet of the Company prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. After
the Closing, neither Buyer nor the Company will have any liability, damage,
cost, expense or reduction in revenues relating to or arising out of any of the
matters disclosed on Schedule 2.7 hereto.

       2.8 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Since December 31, 1996, except
(i) as otherwise set forth in Schedule 2.8 hereto or (ii) as otherwise expressly
referred to in or contemplated by this Agreement, the Company has not:

              (a) changed or amended its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;

              (b) incurred any obligation or liability (fixed or contingent),
       except normal trade or business obligations incurred in the ordinary
       course of business, none of which individually or in the aggregate is
       materially adverse to the Company;


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

              (c) discharged or satisfied any lien, security interest, charge or
       other encumbrance or paid any obligation or liability (fixed or
       contingent), other than in the ordinary course of business;

              (d) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any lien, security
       interest, charge or other encumbrance any of its assets or properties;

              (e) transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of any of its assets
       or properties, except for fair consideration in the ordinary course of
       business or acquired any assets or properties, except in the ordinary
       course of business;

              (f) declared, set aside or paid any distribution (whether in cash,
       stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital
       stock or redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its capital stock or
       split, combined or otherwise similarly changed its capital stock or
       authorized the creation or issuance of or issued or sold any capital
       stock or any securities or obligations convertible into or exchangeable
       therefor, or granted to any person or entity any right to acquire any
       capital stock from the Company, or agreed to take any such action; (g)
       made any investment of a capital nature, whether by purchase of stock or
       securities, contributions to capital, property transfers or otherwise, in
       any partnership, corporation or other entity, or purchased any property
       or assets;

              (h) canceled or compromised any debt or claim in an aggregate
       amount exceeding $10,000;

              (i) waived, released, transferred or granted any rights or
       permitted any License to lapse;

              (j) except in the ordinary course of its business, made or granted
       any wage or salary increase applicable to any employee, any group or
       classification of employees generally, entered into any employment
       contract with, or made any loan to, or entered into any transaction of
       any other nature with, any officer or employee of the Company;

              (k) hired or engaged any family member or affiliate of the Sellers
       as an employee or independent contractor; or

              (l) suffered any casualty loss or damage (whether or not such loss
       or damage shall have been covered by insurance) in an aggregate amount
       exceeding $5,000, or canceled, had canceled or terminated any policy of
       insurance.

       2.9 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. Except as provided on Schedule 2.9 attached
hereto, no order, authorization, approval or consent from, or filing with, any
federal or state governmental or public body or other authority having
jurisdiction over the Sellers or the Company or the properties or operations of
the Company (individually, an "Agency" and collectively, the 


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

"Agencies") is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or any of the other agreements contemplated herein, is necessary in
order to ensure the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this
Agreement or any of such agreements, or is necessary in order that the business
of the Company can be conducted immediately following the Closing Date
substantially in the same manner as heretofore conducted.

       2.10 TITLE TO PROPERTIES, ABSENCE OF LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES. The Company
has good and valid title to all tangible assets and properties owned by it, in
each case free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) liens for taxes not yet
due and payable, or (ii) mechanic's, materialman's, landlord's liens and
similar statutory liens arising in the ordinary course of business and which, in
the aggregate, would not have an adverse effect on the business, properties or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or (iii) indebtedness not in
default for the purchase price of or lease rental payments on personal property
purchased or leased under lease arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of
business and described on Schedule 2.11 attached hereto. The Company does not
own any real property. Other than the Seller Real Property, the Company owns all
of the property and/or assets currently used and/or necessary to be used to
provide Company Services (as defined in Section 2.11(d) hereof).

       2.11 LIST OF PROPERTIES, CONTRACTS AND OTHER DATA. Annexed hereto as
Schedule 2.11 is a list setting forth the following:

              (a) a description of each lease of real or personal property to
       which the Company is a party, either as lessee or lessor, including a
       description of the parties to each such lease, the property to which each
       such lease relates, and the rental term and monthly (or other) rents
       payable under each such lease;

              (b) all employment agreements, consulting agreements, independent
       contractor agreements, and employee incentive plans or programs to which
       the Company is a party;

              (c) all contracts, including without limitation guarantees,
       mortgages, indentures and loan agreements, to which the Company is a
       party, or to which the Company or any of its or their respective assets
       or properties is subject and which are not specifically required to be
       disclosed by clauses (a) or (b) above, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there need
       not be listed in said Schedule 2.11 pursuant to this clause (c) any
       supply contracts with suppliers and other such contracts incurred in the
       ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, other than
       any such contract which (i) is a contract or group of related contracts
       which exceeds $5,000 in amount, (ii) contains warranties by the Company
       in excess of those customary in its business or (iii) cannot be performed
       by the Company in the normal course within three (3) months after the
       Closing Date without breach or penalty;

              (d) all agreements with third-party payors, including but not
       limited to Medicaid provider agreements, and all agreements for the
       provision of services under any programs for persons with mental
       retardation, developmental disabilities or dual diagnosis, or any
       programs for troubled or at risk youth (collectively, the "Company
       Services").

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

True and complete copies of all documents and complete descriptions of all
binding oral commitments (if any) referred to in said Schedule 2.11 have been
provided or made available to Buyer. All material provisions of the contracts
referred to in such Schedule are valid and enforceable obligations of the
Company and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Sellers, of the other
parties thereto. All of the rights of the Company in such contracts and
agreements referred to in such Schedule are valid and enforceable in accordance
with the respective terms thereof for the periods stated therein. There is no
existing default, event of default or event by the Company which with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute such a default, under any of such
contracts or agreements. The three (3) parcels of Seller Real Property currently
leased by Company from R&R Enterprises are currently leased on a triple-net
basis.

       2.12 THIRD-PARTY PAYOR AND CUSTOMER CONTRACTS; OCCUPANCY STANDARD. Except
as set forth on Schedule 2.12 hereto, the Company has not lost since December
31, 1996, and the Company will not lose or, to the knowledge of Sellers, suffer
diminution in, its contractual relationship or goodwill with any of its
third-party payors or any Agency as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The Occupancy Standard (as defined below) is satisfied as of the
date hereof. The Occupancy Standard shall mean the requirement that there shall
be not less than 800 clients receiving services under the programs operated by
the Company for persons with mental retardation and/or developmental
disabilities and not less than 200 clients receiving services under the programs
operated by the Company for dually diagnosed at-risk youth and all such clients
are fully qualified for funding by the Agencies and the Company will continue to
receive all of the funding available for such clients after the Closing Date. A
client shall not be considered to be qualifying as a client for which the
Company is providing services under such programs if any of the Sellers or the
Company has knowledge and/or Buyer shall have received notice that such client
intends to terminate any agreement or contract for such services or any of the
Agencies intend that any such agreement or contract be terminated.

       2.13 LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION. The Company has all licenses, contracts,
provider agreements, certifications, qualifications, permits, certificates of
need and other authorities from all Agencies necessary to provide and receive
reimbursement for the Company Services (individually, a "License" and
collectively, the "Licenses"), and, to the knowledge of the Sellers, each client
or individual served by the Company is currently fully qualified for funding and
the Company is receiving all of the funding available for such client. Each such
License is in full force and effect and no default, or event which with notice
or the passage of time could constitute a default, by the Company has occurred
and is continuing thereunder. The business of the Company is being conducted in
compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all
Agencies relating to the Company's properties or applicable to its business.
Except as set forth on Schedule 2.13 hereto, there are no waivers, "grandfather"
provisions, or variances under any Licenses. The Sellers have delivered or made
available to Buyer true and correct copies of the most recent surveys or related
reports of the Agencies applicable to the Company and its operations. True and
complete copies of any and all plans of correction submitted in response to said
surveys and related reports have also been provided or made available to Buyer.
All of such surveys, related reports and plans of correction are listed on
Schedule 2.13 attached hereto. After the Closing, neither the Company nor Buyer
will have any liability, damage, cost, expense or reduction in revenues relating
to or arising out of any of the 


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17

matters described on Schedule 2.13, any failure to comply with any rules or
regulations of any Agency or any other claim, deficiency, cost or expense
attributable to any audit by, adjustment of reimbursement rates by or proceeding
before any Agency relating to any period prior to the Closing.

       2.14 LITIGATION, ETC. Schedule 2.14 hereto sets forth a complete list and
an accurate description of all claims, actions, suits, proceedings and
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of each of the Company and the
Sellers, threatened, by or against the Company or any of its properties, assets,
rights or businesses. There is no basis for any other such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.14, there are no
actions, suits, proceedings or claims pending before or by any court,
arbitrator, or Agency against or affecting the Sellers or the Company that would
enjoin or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. After the Closing, the Company will not have any liability, damage,
cost or expense relating to or arising out of any of the matters described on
Schedule 2.14.

       2.15 TAXES; TAX MATTERS. For all taxable periods commencing May 1, 1995,
through and including the date immediately prior to the Closing, Company had
properly elected and has been treated as an S corporation within the meaning of
Section 1361(a) of the Code. Such election was validly made and is effective for
all periods commencing May 1, 1995 and ending the Closing Date. During such
period, such election has been valid and effective for purposes of all states in
which the Company is taxable for income tax purposes. The Company has duly filed
or caused to be filed (or obtained valid, currently effective extensions for
filing) all federal, state, local and foreign income, franchise, excise,
payroll, sales and use, property, provider, withholding and other tax returns,
reports, estimates and information and other statements or returns (collectively
"Tax Returns") required to be filed by or on behalf of it pursuant to any
applicable federal, state, local or foreign tax laws for all years and periods
for which such Tax Returns have become due. All such Tax Returns were correct in
all respects as filed and reflect in all respects the federal, state, local and
foreign income, franchise, excise, payroll, sales and use, property, provider,
withholding and other taxes, duties, fees, imposts and governmental charges (and
charges in lieu of any thereof), together with interest, any additions to tax
and penalties (collectively "Taxes") required to be paid or collected by (or
allocable to) the Company. The Company (i) has paid or caused to be paid all
Taxes as shown on Tax Returns filed by it or on any assessment received by it
(except for those Taxes, if any, that are being contested in good faith and for
which the Company has established adequate reserves as required by generally
accepted accounting principles) and (ii) has properly and fully recorded as
accrued or deferred liabilities on the Historical Financial Statements and the
Closing Financial Statements all Taxes for any period from the date of the last
reporting period covered by such Tax Returns. The Company has not received any
written notice of any audit, or any dispute or claim being threatened by any
relevant taxing authority concerning any Tax Return or liability for Taxes. The
Company has withheld or collected from each payment to its employees (or has
otherwise paid or made provision for) the amount of all Taxes (including, but
not limited to, federal income taxes, Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes,
state and local income and wage taxes, payroll taxes, workers' compensation and
unemployment compensation taxes) required to be withheld or collected therefrom,
and the Company has paid (or caused to be paid) the same in respect of its
employees when due. None 


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18

of the assets of the Company is required to be treated as being owned by any
other person pursuant to the "safe harbor" leasing provisions of Section
168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as in effect prior to the repeal
thereof.

       2.16 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS. No collective bargaining agreement is
applicable to any employees of the Company. There are not any disputes between
the Company and any such employees that would reasonably be expected to
materially adversely affect the conduct of the Company's business or any
unresolved labor union grievances or unfair labor practice or labor arbitration
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Sellers, threatened, relating to
the business of the Company. There are not any organizational efforts presently
being made or threatened involving any of such employees. The Company has fully
complied with all applicable laws relating to employment, including any
provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, the payment
of social security and other payroll or similar taxes, equal employment
opportunity, employment discrimination or harassment and employment safety, and
except as set forth on Schedule 2.16 hereof, the Company has no liability for
any arrears of wages or any taxes or penalties for failure to comply with any of
the foregoing. There are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
Sellers, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board with respect to
any employees of any of the Company. There are no discrimination or harassment
charges (relating to sex, age, religion, race, national origin, ethnicity,
handicap, sexual orientation, veteran or other protected status) pending or, to
the knowledge of the Sellers, threatened before any federal or state agency or
authority against the Company. The Company has handled and disposed of all
medical wastes or biohazardous materials in compliance with all applicable
federal, state or local statutes, rules or regulations and in such a manner that
does not give rise to any claim of liability by any employee, client or
independent contractor of the Company, or any other party.

       2.17 INSURANCE. All policies of fire, liability, workers' compensation,
malpractice and professional liability and other forms of insurance providing
insurance coverage to or for the Company are listed in Schedule 2.17 hereto and
(i) the Company is named insured under such policies, (ii) all premiums required
to be paid with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including the
Closing Date have been paid, (iii) there has been no lapse in insurance coverage
at any time since the Company commenced operations and (iv) no written notice of
cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy.
Since the commencement of the operations of the Company, all of its insurance
policies have been issued on an "occurrence" basis. All such policies are in
full force and effect and will remain in full force and effect to and including
the Closing Date, and, will continue to be in effect immediately after the
Closing Date, without limit as to time, for occurrences prior to the Closing
Date. After the Closing Date, the Company will have no liability or obligation
for any retrospective or audit premiums for any period prior to the Closing
Date. All prepaid insurance premiums will be fully refundable on a pro rata
basis and have been accurately recorded as such on the Historical Balance Sheet
and Closing Financial Statements. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.17, since
December 31, 1996, no claims have been made on any of such policies.

       2.18 USE OF REAL PROPERTY. The leased real properties required to be
listed in Schedule 2.11 hereto are used and operated by the Company in
compliance and conformity with all applica-



                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

ble leases. The ownership, use and operation by the Company of its leased real
property or other assets do not violate any restrictive covenant or any
applicable zoning or building regulation, ordinance or other law, order,
regulation or requirement relating to such ownership, use or operation, which
violation, if required to be abated or corrected, would have an adverse effect
(financially or otherwise) on the operations of the Company.

       2.19 CONDITION OF ASSETS. Except for incidental repairs required in the
ordinary course of business, all buildings, land improvements, tangible personal
property, fixtures and equipment comprising the assets of the Company are in a
good state of repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and operating condition
and are sufficient and adequate to conduct its business as presently conducted
on the date hereof (which at a minimum shall be in accordance with the
applicable rules and requirements of the Agencies).

       2.20 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. The accounts receivable reflected in the
Historical Financial Statements and the Closing Financial Statements, and all
accounts receivable arising after December 31, 1996, arose from bona fide
transactions in the ordinary course of business on ordinary trade terms, and
represent valid and binding obligations due to the Company. Except as set forth
on Schedule 2.20, no such account receivable nor any note receivable of the
Company has been assigned or pledged to any other person, firm or corporation.

       2.21 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The corporate minute book and stock record book
of the Company (i) contain a true and complete record, in all material respects,
of all actions taken at all meetings of the stockholders and Board of Directors
of the Company, and (ii) properly and accurately record the issuance and
transfer of all shares of capital stock of the Company.

       2.22 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

              (a) Schedule 2.22 attached hereto lists each employee benefit plan
       within the meaning of section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
       Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") maintained by the Company or to which the
       Company contributes or is required to contribute or in which any employee
       of the Company participates (a "Plan"). Each of the Plans has been
       operated and administered in all respects in accordance with applicable
       laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code. There are no
       pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened claims by or on
       behalf of any of the Plans, by any employee or beneficiary covered under
       such Plan or otherwise involving any such Plan or any of its fiduciaries
       (other than for routine claims for benefits).

              (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.22 hereto, (i) each Plan
       subject to section 401(a) of the Code qualifies thereunder and is exempt
       from taxation pursuant to section 501(a) of the Code, (ii) each trust
       subject to section 501(c) of the Code qualifies for exemption from
       federal income tax thereunder, and (iii) each Plan subject to sections
       125 and 129 of the Code qualifies thereunder.

              (c) The Company has not maintained, contributed to or been
       required to contribute to, nor do any of its employees participate in, a
       "multi-employer plan" (as 


                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20

       defined in section 3(37) of ERISA) or a "defined benefit plan" (as
       defined in section 3(35) of ERISA).

              (d) Notwithstanding anything else set forth herein, neither the
       Sellers nor the Company has incurred any liability as of the Closing Date
       with respect to any Plan under ERISA (including, without limitation,
       Title I or Title IV of ERISA), the Code or other applicable law, which is
       due and payable and which has not been satisfied in full, and no event
       has occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances which
       could result in the imposition of any liability under ERISA (including,
       without limitation, Title I or Title IV of ERISA), the Code or other
       applicable law with respect to any of the Plans (other than the payment
       of routine claims for benefits, insurance premiums or contributions
       required under the terms of the Plans).

              (e) No Plan, other than a Plan which is an employee pension
       benefit plan (within the meaning of section 3(2)(A) of ERISA), provides
       benefits, including without limitation, death, health or medical benefits
       (whether or not insured), with respect to current or former employees of
       the Company beyond their retirement or other termination of service with
       the Company (other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii)
       deferred compensation benefits fully accrued as liabilities on the books
       of the Company or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the
       current or former employee (or his beneficiary)).

              (f) Except as a consequence of any termination authorized by
       Section 1.4(d) hereof, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
       by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former employee,
       officer or director of the Company to severance pay, unemployment
       compensation or any other payment from the Company, or (ii) accelerate
       the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation
       due any such employee, officer or director.

              (g) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.22 hereto, the Sellers have
       provided or made available to Buyer, its counsel or accountants true and
       complete copies of the following for each Plan as applicable: (i) the
       Plan; (ii) the summary plan description of the Plan; (iii) the trust
       agreement, insurance policy or other instrument relating to the funding
       of the Plan; (iv) the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 series) and
       accompanying schedule filed with the Internal Revenue Service or United
       States Department of Labor with respect to the Plan; (v) the most recent
       audited financial statement for the Plan; (vi) the most recent actuarial
       report of the Plan; and (vii) the policy of fiduciary liability insurance
       (and agreements related thereto) maintained in connection with the Plan.

              (h) The Company has not amended or terminated any Plan after
       providing Buyer with copies of the Plans referenced in Schedule 2.22
       hereto.

       2.23 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.23
hereto, (a) there are no contracts for the provision of goods or services
(including but not limited to 


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21

management services) to or from (i) the Company and (ii) the Sellers or any
affiliate of the Sellers (collectively, the "Seller Group"), (b) there are no
facilities occupied in whole or in part by the Company, and no other property,
assets, franchises, licenses or rights used by any of the Company, that are
owned, leased by or to, or occupied by any member of the Seller Group, and (c)
there are no liabilities (whether for borrowings or otherwise) of the Company to
any member of the Seller Group.

       2.24 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

              (a) For the purposes of this Section 2.24, the following terms
       shall have the following meanings:

                                                                      
                  "Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state, or
        local statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of the United States
        and any other jurisdiction within the United States now effective and
        any order, to which the Company is a party or is otherwise directly
        bound of the United States or other jurisdiction within the United
        States now effective relating to: (i) pollution or protection of the
        environment, including natural resources; or (ii) exposure of persons,
        including employees, to Hazardous Sub stances;

                  "Hazardous Substances" means any substance, whether liquid,
        solid or gas (i) listed, identified or designated as hazardous or toxic
        under any Environmental Law, (ii) which, applying criteria specified in
        any Environmental Law, is hazardous or toxic, (iii) the use or disposal
        of which is regulated under Environmental Law, or (iv) which is
        considered a biohazard under any applicable law or regulation.

                (b) No Hazardous Substances have been, or, to the knowledge of
        Sellers, have been threatened to be, discharged, released or emitted
        into the air, water, surface water, ground water, land surface or
        subsurface strata or transported to or from the property of the Company
        except in compliance with Environmental Law and except for incidental
        releases of Hazardous Substances in amounts or concentrations which
        would not reasonably be expected to give rise to any claims or
        liabilities against the Company under Environmental Law.

                (c) There is no violation of any Environmental Law with respect
        to the business and properties of the Company and neither any Seller nor
        the Company has received any written notification from a governmental
        agency pursuant to Section 104, 106 or 107 of the Comprehensive
        Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, as amended.

                (d) There is no underground storage tank on the premises of any
        real property currently or previously owned and/or occupied by the
        Company and neither the Company nor any of the Seller Group has removed
        or caused to be removed any such underground storage tank in any manner
        other than in complete compliance with applicable Environmental Law.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22

        2.25 AGENCY FILINGS. All cost reports and financial statements or
reports required to be filed by the Company under federal or state law or any
other applicable governmental or private provider regulations or contractual
requirements (the "Agency Filings") have been prepared and filed in accordance
with applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements (and copies of such
Agency Filings have been provided to Buyer) and the Company has paid or made
provision to pay, or has adequate reserves for such reflected on the balance
sheet included in the Historical Financial Statements and the Closing Financial
Statements, all actual or potential adjustments by Medicaid or other programs
attributable to the Agency Filings which were due or which were attributable to
any period prior to the Closing. Certain provider agreements between the Company
and the respective Agency or other third-party payor which is a party thereto
require, either pursuant to the terms of such agreements or pursuant to
applicable rules or regulations, the submission by the Company of periodic
audited financial statements. The Company has not complied with such
requirements. The Company presently has no liability and after the Closing will
not have any liability or loss attributable to the failure to comply with any
such requirements, including but not limited to (a) any obligation to refund any
revenues previously paid to the Company, (b) any reduction in revenues or
reimbursement rates (either before or after the Closing), or (c) any penalty,
interest or other cost.

        2.26 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN BUSINESS PRACTICES. Neither the Company nor any
officer or director of the Company nor, to the knowledge of any of the Sellers
or the Company, any other person or entity acting on behalf of the Company,
acting alone or together, has (i) received, directly or indirectly, any rebates,
payments, commissions, promotional allowances or any other economic benefits,
regardless of their nature or type, from or on behalf of any client,
governmental employee or other person or entity with whom the Company has done
business directly or indirectly, or (ii) directly or indirectly, given or
agreed to give any gift or similar benefit to any client, governmental employee
or other person or entity who is or may be in a position to help or hinder the
business of the Company (or assist the Company in connection with any actual or
proposed transaction) which, in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii)
above, would reasonably be expected to subject the Company to any damage or
penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding.

        2.27 FRAUD AND ABUSE. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.14 hereto,
neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or any of the persons who
provide professional services under agreements with the Company, has engaged in
any activities which are prohibited under federal Medicaid statutes or the
regulations promulgated pursuant to such statutes or related state or local
statutes or regulations or which are prohibited by rules of professional conduct
applicable to the Company Services.

        2.28 BROKERS' OR FINDERS' FEES. Except for the obligations of Buyer to
NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc. ("NCMI") pursuant to its letter agreement with
such entity, all negotiations relative to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby have been carried out by the Sellers directly with Buyer,
without the intervention of any person on behalf of either the Company or the
Sellers in such manner as to give rise to any valid claim by any person against
the Company or Buyer for a finder's fee, brokerage commission or similar
payment. The parties agree that any fee or other payment due to NCMI or its
affiliates in connection with this 



                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23

Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby shall be the sole
responsibility of Buyer. Neither any of Sellers nor the Company has any
agreement with or obligation to NCMI relating to the transactions contemplated
herein.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
                     ---------------------------------------

        Buyer represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:

        3.1 ORGANIZATION, POWER, ETC. Buyer is a corporation duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Buyer has full
corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to execute and deliver this
Agreement to which it is a party, and to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

        3.2 AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS, ETC. The execution and delivery by
Buyer of this Agreement and other agreements to be delivered by it hereunder,
and the performance by Buyer of its respective obligations hereunder and
thereunder, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and will
not violate any provision of law, any order of any court or other agency of
government, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer, any judgment,
award or decree or (except for any necessary consent of PNC Bank, Kentucky, Inc.
under Buyer's credit facility, which consent shall be obtained prior to Closing)
any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which Buyer is a party, or by
which it or any of its properties or assets is bound or affected, or result in a
breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument, or result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
Buyer.

        3.3 VALIDITY. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Buyer and, subject to due execution by each of the Sellers, constitutes, and the
other agreements which are contemplated to be executed by Buyer hereunder, when
executed and delivered by Buyer as contemplated hereby, subject to due execution
by the other parties thereto, will constitute, the legal, valid and binding
obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to applicable reorganization, insolvency, moratorium
and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect
and the effects of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

        3.4 LITIGATION RELATING TO TRANSACTION. There are no actions, suits,
proceedings or claims pending before any court, arbitrator or government agency
against or affecting Buyer which might enjoin or prevent the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other agreements to be
executed hereunder to which Buyer will be a party.

        3.5 INVESTMENT. Buyer is acquiring the Shares for its own account, for
investment and not with a view toward the distribution thereof within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, 


                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24

as amended (the "Securities Act"). Buyer will refrain from transferring or
otherwise disposing of any of the Shares, or any interests therein, in such
manner as to cause the Sellers to be in violation of the registration
requirements of the Securities Act or applicable state securities or "blue sky"
laws.

         3.6 BROKERS' OR FINDERS' FEES. Except for the obligations of Buyer to
NCMI pursuant to its letter agreement with such entity, all negotiations
relative to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been
carried out by Buyer directly with the Sellers, without the intervention of any
person on behalf of Buyer in such manner as to give rise to any valid claim by
any person against the Sellers for a finder's fee, brokerage commission or
similar payment. The parties agree that any fee or other payment due to NCMI or
its affiliates in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be the sole responsibility of Buyer.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    COVENANTS
                                    ---------

        4.1 CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE SELLERS.

                (a) During the period from the date of this Agreement through
        the Closing Date, the Sellers will cause the Company to conduct its
        business and operations according to its ordinary course of business and
        to use its best efforts (i) to preserve its relationships with its
        employees and clients and with the Agencies, (ii) to maintain its
        Licenses and its contracts with third party payors and clients in full
        force and effect in accordance with their terms and (iii) to continue to
        provide its services to such third party payors and clients. Without
        limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly
        contemplated by this Agreement, prior to the Closing Date, without the
        prior written consent of Buyer, the Sellers shall not permit the Company
        to do any of the things listed in paragraphs (a) through (k) of Section
        2.8 above. 

                (b) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Sellers
        shall, and shall cause the Company to, provide, upon reasonable advance
        notice during normal business hours, access by representatives of Buyer
        to the financial, accounting and legal records of the Company, and to
        key employees of the Company designated by Buyer, and, in connection
        therewith, shall permit representatives of Buyer, upon reasonable
        advance notice during normal business hours, to visit the premises of
        the Company. Such activities shall be performed, so far as is
        reasonably possible, in such a manner as to avoid disruption of normal
        operations.

                (c) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, and in
        connection with the preparation of the Statement, the Sellers shall not
        permit the Company, except as re quired by generally accepted accounting
        principles and subject to appropriate year-end adjustments, (i) to
        utilize accounting principles different from those used in the 
        preparation of the Historical Financial Statements and the Closing
        Financial Statements, (ii) change in any manner its method of
        maintaining its books of account and records from such 


                                      -24-
<PAGE>   25

        methods as reflected in the Historical Financial Statements and the
        Closing Financial Statements, or (iii) accelerate booking of revenues or
        the deferral of expenses.

                (d) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, neither the
        Sellers nor any member of the Seller Group shall enter into any
        transaction, make any agreement or commitment, or take any action, which
        would result in any of the representations, warranties or covenants of
        the Sellers contained in this Agreement not being true and correct in
        any respect at and as of the time immediately after the occurrence of
        such transaction, event or action.

                (e) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Sellers
        shall, and shall cause the Company to, cooperate in good faith with
        Buyer, including the filing and submission of all necessary and
        appropriate applications and documents, in order to obtain all
        applicable governmental, regulatory and third party authorizations,
        consents, waivers and approvals required or necessary in order to
        consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                (f) The parties contemplate that because the Company will be
        included as a part of the consolidated federal income tax return filed
        by Buyer for the period after the Closing, that separate federal and
        state income tax or informational returns ("Closing Tax Returns") will
        be required to be prepared and filed for the Company for the period
        January 1, 1997 through the Closing Date. The Sellers will be
        responsible for the preparation of the Closing Tax Returns, which shall
        be filed on a timely basis in accordance with all applicable
        requirements of the respective tax authorities. Buyer shall cooperate in
        providing access to the Company's books and records to enable the
        Sellers to satisfy their covenants in this paragraph (f).

                (g) Sellers hereby waive their respective rights of first
        refusal in Section 5.02 of the Company's Bylaws. Sellers shall cause the
        Company to waive its right of first refusal in Section 5.02 of the
        Company Bylaws.

        4.2     CERTAIN COVENANTS OF BUYER.

                (a) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, Buyer shall
        use its reasonable business efforts, in cooperation with the Sellers and
        the Company, in order to obtain all governmental, regulatory and third
        party authorizations, consents, waivers and approvals necessary or
        desirable in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
        Agreement.

                (b) Buyer shall use its reasonable efforts to coordinate with
        the Company all inquiries to and contacts with the Agencies regarding
        the transactions contemplated herein.

                (c) For a period of seven (7) years after the Closing, the Buyer
        shall cause the Company to retain its payroll and other records which
        are reasonably necessary to support 



                                      -25-
<PAGE>   26

        and/or defend a Medicaid audit and shall provide the Sellers, at their
        cost, copies of such records solely for such purpose upon the Sellers'
        reasonable request.

        4.3 BOOKS AND RECORDS. At or before the Closing, the Sellers shall
deliver to Buyer or shall cause to be delivered to the principal office or other
office of the Company, as appropriate, all books, records, files, documents,
papers, agreements, books of account and other records pertaining to the
business of the Company and used in the operation of the business of the
Company.

        4.4 CONFIDENTIALITY. Prior to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein, all information furnished to or obtained by Buyer, its
attorneys, accountants, or other representatives as a result of its
investigation or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated
herein shall be treated as confidential information and, except as required by
applicable law, shall not be disclosed to any person or entity without the prior
written consent of the Sellers. In the event that the transactions contemplated
herein are not consummated or this Agreement is terminated, upon written request
by Sellers, Buyer agrees to (i) return (at Buyer's sole cost and expense) to
Sellers and the Company all written information furnished by Sellers and (ii)
not thereafter use for any purpose whatsoever such confidential information or
permit such confidential information to be made available to others except as
required by applicable law.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
                              --------------------

        5.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER. The obligations of
Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject,
at the option of Buyer, to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of
each of the conditions set forth in this Section 5.1, any one or more of which
may be waived by Buyer.

                (a) CONDITION OF ASSETS; CASUALTY. Any structural inspection or
        financial analysis conducted by Buyer, in Buyer's sole discretion and at
        its expense, of the real property and improvements and fixtures thereon
        at which the Company conducts its business operations and of the
        Company's business operations, shall be reasonably acceptable to Buyer,
        shall not disclose any materially adverse environmental or unsound
        structural conditions, and shall be acceptable to Buyer in its
        discretion, exercisable in good faith. It is expressly understood and
        agreed that in the event of any loss, damage or destruction to any of
        the property or assets of the Company from fire, casualty or other
        causes prior to the Closing Date, the Sellers shall notify Buyer of same
        immediately in writing. Such notice shall specify with particularly the
        loss, damage or destruction incurred, the cause thereof, if known or
        readily ascertainable, the insurance coverage, the cost to completely
        repair, replace or restore the property or assets, the estimated loss of
        gross revenues resulting therefrom and the estimated duration of such
        loss of gross revenues. In the event the estimated loss of gross
        revenues and/or the cost to completely repair, replace and restore the
        property or assets is in excess of $5,000, Buyer (i) may consummate the
        Closing and accept the property or assets in its or their then
        condition, 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   27

        in which event Buyer may apply all available insurance proceeds to
        repair, replace or restore the property or assets involved, or (ii)
        rescind this Agreement and declare it of no further force or effect in
        which event there shall be no Closing and this Agreement and all the
        terms and provisions hereof shall thereupon be deemed null and void. In
        the event the estimated loss of gross revenues and/or the cost to
        completely repair, replace and restore the property or assets is $5,000
        or less, Buyer shall consummate the transactions contemplated under this
        Agreement and accept the property and assets in its or their then
        condition in which event Buyer may apply all available insurance
        proceeds to repair, replace or restore the property or assets involved.

                (b) FINANCIAL ANALYSIS. Buyer shall have conducted a review of
        the business operations, books and records of the Company, which review
        shall disclose that there shall have been no material adverse change in
        the financial condition, assets, revenues, number of clients served, net
        income or business prospects of the Company from December 31, 1996 or as
        disclosed in the Historical Financial Statements, through the Closing,
        and the business of the Company shall have been conducted during the
        period December 31, 1996 through the Closing in the ordinary course of
        business consistent with past practices.

                (c) OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR SELLING SHAREHOLDERS. Buyer shall
        have received the opinion of Fennebresque, Clark, Swindell & Hay,
        counsel for the Sellers, addressed to Buyer and dated the Closing Date,
        reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer and its counsel,
        to the effect set forth in Exhibit G hereto.

                (d) CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. All authorizations, consents,
        waivers and approvals required in connection with the execution,
        delivery and performance of this Agreement, including but not limited to
        the approval of all Agencies and the lessors under any real estate lease
        to which the Company is a party, shall have been duly obtained and shall
        be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Buyer.

                (e) LEGAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS. No legal action or proceeding
        shall have been instituted by any party or threatened by any
        governmental department, agency or authority, in either case seeking to
        restrain, prohibit, invalidate or otherwise affect the consummation of
        the transactions contemplated hereby or which would, if adversely
        decided, adversely affect the operation by the Company of its business.

                (f) ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS. Each of the agreements which are
        required to be executed and delivered by Sellers as provided in this
        Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by all parties
        thereto other than Buyer.

                (g) SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. On or prior to the Closing Date, Buyer
        and its counsel shall have received copies of the following supporting
        documents, all of which shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
        substance to Buyer and its counsel:

                        (i) (A) the Articles of Incorporation of the Company
                certified as of a recent date by the Rhode Island Secretary of
                State; (B) a certificate of the Rhode 


                                      -27-
<PAGE>   28

                Island Secretary of State as to the due incorporation and good
                standing of the Company and (C) a certificate of the North
                Carolina Secretary of State as to the qualification of the
                Company as a foreign corporation in good standing in such state;

                        (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
                Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date and certifying
                (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the
                Bylaws of the Company as in effect on the date of such
                certification; (B) that the Articles of Incorporation of the
                Company have not been amended since the date of the last
                amendment referred to in the certificate delivered pursuant to
                clause (i)(A) above; and

                        (iii) such other documents and instruments as may be
                reasonably required by Buyer to effectuate the transactions
                contemplated herein.

                (h) ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The financial statements of
        the Company for the period prior to or as of the Closing shall not have
        reflected any materially adverse change in the financial condition or
        results of operations of the Company, as compared to the Historical
        Financial Statements and the Closing Financial Statements.

                (i) OTHER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Each of Lynne Place, Judy Hardy
        and Steven Greer shall have executed and delivered an employment
        agreement with the Company providing for the continuation of their
        employment with the Company for a period of three (3) years after the
        Closing. The form and substance of each of such employment agreements is
        attached as Exhibits H-1 through H-3 (the "Other Employment
        Agreements").

                (j) REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All
        representations and warranties made by the Sellers in this Agreement or
        in any other written statement delivered by her hereunder, or delivered
        pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all material respects at
        the Closing as though made at that time or, in the case of
        representations and warranties made as of a specified date earlier than
        the Closing Date, on and as of such earlier date. The Sellers shall have
        performed, satisfied and complied with all material covenants,
        agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed,
        satisfied or complied with by them at or before the Closing.

        5.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE SELLERS. The
obligations of the Sellers under this Agreement are subject, at the option of
the Sellers, to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the
conditions set forth in this Section 5.2, any one or more of which may be waived
by the Sellers.

                (a) LEGAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS. No legal action or proceeding
        shall have been instituted by any party or threatened by any
        governmental department, agency or authority, in either case seeking to
        restrain, prohibit, invalidate or otherwise affect the 


                                      -28-
<PAGE>   29

        consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or which would, if
        adversely decided, materially adversely affect the operation by the
        Buyer of its business.

                (b) ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS. Each of the agreements which are
        required to be executed by Buyer as contemplated herein shall have been
        duly executed and delivered by Buyer.

                (c) OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR BUYER. The Sellers shall have
        received the opinion of Reed Weitkamp Schell Cox & Vice, counsel for
        Buyer, addressed to the Sellers and dated the Closing Date, reasonably
        satisfactory in form and substance to the Sellers and their counsel to
        the effect set forth in Exhibit I hereto.

                (d) SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
        Sellers and their counsel shall have received a Certificate of the
        Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Buyer, dated the Closing Date and
        certifying (i) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of (A)
        the Articles of Incorporation of Buyer, (B) the Bylaws of Buyer, and (C)
        the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of Buyer, authorizing
        the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and any other
        agreements to which Buyer is a party, and that all such resolutions are
        still in force and effect and are all resolutions adopted in connection
        with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) as to the
        incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of Buyer executing
        this Agreement and any other agreement contemplated to be executed
        hereunder to which it is a party, and any certificate or instrument
        furnished pursuant hereto and thereto.

                (e) OTHER DOCUMENTS. On or prior to the Closing Date the Sellers
        and their counsel shall have received such documents and instruments as
        may be reasonably requested by the Sellers and her counsel to effectuate
        the transactions contemplated herein.

                (f) OTHER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Each of Lynne Place, Judy Hardy
        and Steven Greer shall have executed and delivered their respective
        Other Employment Agreements.

                (g) REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All
        representations and warranties made by Buyer in this Agreement or in any
        other written statement delivered by them hereunder, or delivered
        pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all material respects at
        the Closing as though made at that time. Buyer shall have performed,
        satisfied and complied with all material covenants, agreements and
        conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or
        complied with by it at or before the Closing.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                 INDEMNIFICATION
                                 ---------------

        6.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All
representations, warranties and covenants made by any party hereto in this
Agreement or pursuant hereto shall 


                                      -29-
<PAGE>   30

survive the Closing Date hereunder and shall terminate on the day which shall be
three (3) years after the Closing Date, except for the representations and
warranties of the Sellers as set forth in Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.22, 2.24,
2.25, 2.26 and 2.27, which shall survive until the expiration of the applicable
statutes of limitations.

        6.2 INDEMNITY.

                (a) Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article
        VI, the Sellers jointly and severally agree to and will indemnify,
        defend and hold each of the Company and Buyer harmless from and against
        all demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses,
        damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including without limitation
        interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
        (hereinafter collectively called "Buyer Damages"), asserted against,
        resulting to, imposed upon or incurred by the Company or Buyer, by
        reason of, resulting from or arising out of (i) a breach of any
        representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Sellers contained
        in or made pursuant to this Agreement, or any facts or circumstances
        constituting such a breach, or (ii) for any financial overpayment by any
        third party payor, including, but not limited to, disallowed costs
        and/or excessive rates of reimbursement under the Medicaid or other
        programs resulting from or arising out of services provided by the
        Company on or before the Closing Date.

                (b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article VI,
        Buyer agrees to and will indemnify, defend and hold each of the Sellers
        harmless from and against all demands, claims, actions or causes of
        action, assessments, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses,
        including without limitation interest, penalties and reasonable
        attorneys' fees and expenses (hereinafter collectively called "Seller
        Damages"), asserted against, resulting to, imposed upon or incurred by
        any of Sellers by reason of or resulting from or arising out of a breach
        of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Buyer
        contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement, or any facts or
        circumstances constituting such a breach.

        6.3 CONDITIONS OF INDEMNIFICATION. For purposes of Article VI, the party
requesting indemnification under this Article VI is sometimes referred to as the
"party to be indemnified" and the party from whom indemnification is sought
under this Article VI is sometimes referred to as the "indemnifying party." The
respective obligations and liabilities of the Sellers, on the one hand, and
Buyer, on the other hand, to the other under Section 6.2 hereof with respect to
claims resulting from the assertion of liability by third parties shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions:

                (a) within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of commencement
        of any action or the assertion of any claim by a third party for which
        indemnification is available under this Article VI, the party to be
        indemnified shall give the indemnifying party written notice thereof
        together with a copy of such claim, process or other legal pleading
        (provided that failure so to notify the indemnifying party of the
        assertion of a claim within such period shall not affect its indemnity
        obligation hereunder except as and to the extent that such 


                                      -30-
<PAGE>   31

        failure shall adversely affect the defense of such claim), and the
        indemnifying party shall have the right to undertake the defense thereof
        by representatives of its own choosing and, except as provided in
        paragraph (d) of this Section 6.3, the indemnifying party will have full
        control of such defense and proceedings, including any settlement
        thereof;

                (b) in the event that the indemnifying party, by the 30th day
        after receipt of notice of any such claim (or, if earlier, by the tenth
        day preceding the day on which an answer or other pleading must be
        served in order to prevent judgment by default in favor of the person
        asserting such claim), does not elect to defend against such claim, the
        party to be indemnified will (upon further notice to the indemnifying
        party) have the right to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement
        of such claim on behalf of and for the account and risk of the
        indemnifying party, subject to the right of the indemnifying party to
        assume the defense of such claim at any time prior to settlement,
        compromise or final determination thereof;

                (c) the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by
        the party to be indemnified shall be at the sole expense of the party to
        be indemnified, unless the indemnifying party and the party to be
        indemnified shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such separate
        counsel by the party to be indemnified. If requested by the indemnifying
        party, the party to be indemnified agrees to cooperate with the
        indemnifying party and its counsel in contesting any claim or demand
        which the indemnifying party defends;

                (d) anything in this Section 6.3 to the contrary
        notwithstanding, if there is a reasonable probability that a claim for
        which indemnification is sought under this Article VI may materially and
        adversely affect the party to be indemnified, other than as a result of
        money damages or other money payments, such claim shall not be settled
        or compromised without the prior written consent of both the
        indemnifying party and the party to be indemnified, in each case such
        consent not to be unreasonably withheld; and

                (e) in connection with any such indemnification, the party to be
        indemnified will cooperate in all reasonable requests of the
        indemnifying party.

        6.4 RIGHT OF SETOFF. In addition to any other remedies hereunder, Buyer
shall be entitled to set off against the outstanding principal and/or interest
payable under the First Note an amount equal to any indemnification liability of
Sellers (subject to the limitations below). Buyer shall give the Sellers thirty
(30) days' prior written notice before making any set off permitted under the
preceding sentence. Such notice shall describe in reasonable detail the alleged
breach and the amount of the proposed set off. Sellers shall have the right
during such 30-day period to cure the breach contained in Buyer's notice to
Sellers. If such breach is not cured within such 30-day period, Buyer may make
the set off contemplated in this Section 6.4.

        6.5 LIMITATION OF INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OF SELLERS.


                                      -31-
<PAGE>   32

                (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (other than
        paragraph (b) of this Section 6.5), Sellers shall not be liable for and
        shall not indemnify Buyer or Company from any breach of any covenant,
        representation or warranty of Sellers in this Agreement (individually, a
        "Seller Breach" and collectively, the "Seller Breaches") unless and
        until the aggregate Buyer Damages attributable to Seller Breaches exceed
        $200,000 (the "Indemnification Threshold"). Sellers shall then be liable
        for and shall indemnify Buyer and Company to the extent the Buyer
        Damages attributable to Seller Breaches exceed $100,000 (the "Basket
        Amount") (which shall mean that once the Indemnification Threshold is
        reached, Sellers shall be liable and indemnify Buyer and the Company for
        Buyer Damages between the Basket Amount and the Indemnification
        Threshold). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate Buyer Damages
        indemnified by Sellers under this Agreement shall not exceed, in the
        aggregate, $4,000,000 (the "Indemnification Cap"), which amount shall
        not be reduced by the Basket Amount. Any Buyer Damages attributable to
        any matter described on Schedule 2.7 hereto shall not be taken into
        account for purposes of this paragraph (a) in determining whether any of
        the Basket Amount, Indemnification Threshold or Indemnification Cap are
        satisfied.

                (b) Any limitation on the indemnification obligations of Sellers
        provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to paragraph (a)
        of this Section 6.5, shall not be applicable to any Buyer Damages
        attributable to any matter described on Schedule 2.7 hereto. Sellers'
        liability for any such matter shall be unlimited and shall not be
        subject to the satisfaction of any threshold.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
                           ---------------------------

        7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the closing on the Closing Date:

                (a) by the mutual consent of the Sellers, on the one hand, and
        Buyer, on the other hand; or

                (b) by Buyer, on the one hand, or the Sellers, on the other
        hand, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before August 31,
        1997 or such later date as may be agreed upon by the parties hereto;
        PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
        clause (b) shall not be available to any party (a "Defaulting Party")
        whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been
        the cause of, or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or
        before such date. 

        If the Closing shall not have occurred, or this Agreement shall not have
been terminated in accordance with this Section 7.1, by September 30, 1997, this
Agreement shall automatically terminate on said date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such termination shall not affect the liability hereunder of any Defaulting
Party.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   33

        7.2 PROCEDURE AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of
this Agreement and abandonment of the transactions contemplated hereby by any or
all of the parties pursuant to Section 7.1 above, written notice thereof shall
forthwith be given to the other parties to this Agreement (other than in the
event of an automatic termination as provided in such Section) and this
Agreement shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
abandoned, without further action by any of the parties hereto. If this
Agreement is terminated as provided in this Agreement:

                (a) the parties hereto will promptly redeliver all documents,
        work papers and other material of any other party relating to the
        transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, copies
        thereof in the possession of the parties' respective counsel and
        accountants) whether obtained before or after the execution hereof, to
        the party furnishing the same; and

                (b) no party shall have any liability or further obligation to
        any other party to this Agreement pursuant to this Agreement except as
        provided in Section 7.1 above and except for the representations and
        covenants set forth in Sections 2.28, 3.6, 4.4, 8.1 and 8.2 hereof,
        which shall survive such termination.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

        8.1 EXPENSES, ETC.

                (a) In connection with the transactions described herein,
        Sellers shall pay (i) any fees or costs due to Sellers' or the Company's
        lenders, if any, in order to secure any necessary consents or releases
        and (ii) their own attorneys' or other professionals' fees, including in
        connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this
        Agreement. None of such fees or expenses shall be paid or borne by the
        Company.

                (b) In connection with the transactions described herein, Buyer
        shall pay: (i) any licensure or other fees due from the Company or Buyer
        under applicable law to the Agencies in connection with the consummation
        of the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) the costs of any due
        diligence Buyer desires to conduct, and (iii) its own attorneys' or
        other professionals' fees, including in connection with the preparation,
        execution and delivery of this Agreement.

        8.2 PUBLICITY. The Sellers acknowledges that the transactions
contemplated herein may be material, non-public information and, accordingly, no
public announcement or disclosure of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be made without the prior written consent of Buyer.
Each party shall furnish to the other a draft of any press release or
announcement related to this transaction prior to its release. Nothing contained
herein shall prevent any party from at any time furnishing any information
required by any governmental authority or by law or shall prevent the Buyer from
disclosing the terms of the transaction to 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   34

regulatory authorities, securities analysts or as required in any filings
required by the securities laws or regulations.

        8.3 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. For the convenience of the parties, this
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

        8.4 NOTICES. All notices which are required or may be given pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in all
respects if (i) delivered personally, (ii) mailed by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, (iii) sent via a nationally
recognized overnight courier service or (iv) sent via facsimile confirmed in
writing to the recipient, in each case as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        <S>                          <C>    
        IF TO THE SELLERS:           Richard Greer
                                     839 Wilkesboro Boulevard
                                     Lenior, North Carolina 28645
                                     Telephone:   (704) 754-0000
                                     Facsimile:   (704) 754-3537

        WITH COPIES TO:              Bernard B. Clark, Esq.
                                     Fennebresque, Clark, Swindell & Hay
                                     NationsBank Corporate Center, Suite 2900
                                     100 North Tryon Street
                                     Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-4011
                                     Telephone:   (704) 347-3800
                                     Facsimile:   (704) 347-3838

        IF TO BUYER:                 Paul G. Dunn
                                     Executive Vice President-Development
                                     Res-Care, Inc.
                                     10140 Linn Station Road
                                     Louisville, Kentucky 40223
                                     Telephone:   (502) 394-2311
                                     Facsimile:   (502) 394-2206

        WITH COPIES TO:              Gary R. Weitkamp, Esq.
                                     Reed Weitkamp Schell Cox & Vice
                                     2400 Citizens Plaza
                                     Louisville, Kentucky 40202
                                     Telephone:   (502) 589-1000
                                     Facsimile:   (502) 562-2200
</TABLE>

or such other address or addresses as the Sellers, on the one hand, or Buyer, on
the other hand, shall have designated by notice in writing to the other.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>   35

        8.5 WAIVERS. Either the Sellers, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other
hand, may, by written notice to the other, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other actions of the other under this
Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations or warranties of
the other contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to
this Agreement, (iii) waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants
of the other contained in this Agreement, or (iv) waive performance of any of
the obligations of the other under this Agreement. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence or as otherwise expressly provided elsewhere in this
Agreement, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without
limitation any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent
breach.

        8.6 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, ETC. This Agreement may be amended,
supplemented or modified only by a written instrument signed by all parties
hereto.

        8.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, its Exhibits and Schedules and the
documents executed on the Closing Date in connection herewith, constitute the
entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written,
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, including
but not limited to the letter of intent executed by Buyer, the Company and the
Sellers dated July 9, 1997.

        8.8 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, exclusive of the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

        8.9 BINDING EFFECT; BENEFITS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors,
successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is
intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their
respective heirs, executors, successors and assigns, any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

        8.10 ASSIGNABILITY. Except for an assignment by Buyer to a wholly-owned
subsidiary thereof, pursuant to which assignment such wholly-owned subsidiary
agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions
contained herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the parties' rights
hereunder shall be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written
consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempt to do so without such
consent will be null and void. No such assignment by Buyer under this Section
shall relieve Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the
instruments, documents or other agreements contemplated hereby.


                                      -35-
<PAGE>   36

        8.11 ARBITRATION. The parties hereto agree that the sole and exclusive
method for resolving any disputes or disagreements relating to this Agreement,
including their indemnification obligations under this Agreement and the amount
of and basis for any set off contemplated by Section 6.4 hereof, by arbitration
in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA").
The determination of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on the
parties, be entitled to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law and
be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Unless the parties mutually
agree, any such arbitration shall not be required to be conducted by the AAA.
Each party shall pay any costs (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by
such party in connection with such arbitration and the Sellers, on the one hand,
and the Buyer, on the other hand, will each be responsible for fifty percent
(50%) of the costs of any arbitrator(s) appointed in connection with such
arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the party that does not prevail in
any arbitration proceeding relating to the amount of or basis for any set off
contemplated by Section 6.4 hereof shall bear its own costs and the costs
(including legal fees and expenses) of the prevailing party and of any
arbitrator(s) in connection with such arbitration.

        8.12 FURTHER ASSURANCES; POST-CLOSING COOPERATION.

                (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
        any time or from time to time after the Closing, each of the parties
        hereto shall execute and deliver such other documents and instruments,
        provide such materials and information and take such other actions as
        may reasonably be necessary, proper or advisable, to the extent
        permitted by law, to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

                (b) Following the Closing, each party will afford the other
        party, its counsel and its accountants, during normal business hours,
        reasonable access to the books, records and other data relating to the
        business or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company in its
        possession with respect to periods prior to the Closing and the right to
        make copies and extracts therefrom, to the extent that such access may
        be reasonably required by the requesting party in connection with (i)
        the preparation of the Closing Tax Returns or any tax returns of any of
        the Sellers, (ii) the determination and enforcement of rights and
        obligations under this Agreement, (iii) compliance with the requirements
        of any governmental or regulatory authority, (iv) the determination or
        enforcement of the rights and obligations of any party to be indemnified
        or (v) in connection with any actual or threatened action or proceeding.
        Further, each party agrees for a period extending six (6) years after
        the Closing Date not to destroy or otherwise dispose of any such books,
        records and other data unless such party shall first offer in writing to
        surrender such books, records and other data to the other party and such
        other party shall not agree in writing to take possession thereof during
        the ten (10) day period after such offer is made.

                (c) If, in order properly to prepare the Closing Tax Returns or
        any tax returns of any of the Sellers, other documents or reports
        required to be filed with governmental or regulatory authorities or its
        financial statements or to fulfill its obligations hereunder, it is
        necessary that a party be furnished with additional information,
        documents or records relating to the business or condition (financial or
        otherwise) of the Company not referred 


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   37

        to in paragraph (b) above, and such information, documents or records
        are in the possession or control of the other party, such other party
        agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish or make
        available such information, documents or records (or copies thereof) at
        the recipient's request, cost and expense. Any information obtained by
        Sellers in accordance with this paragraph shall be held confidential by
        Sellers in accordance with their obligations under the Noncompetition
        Agreements.

                (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
        Section, if the parties are in an adversarial relationship in
        arbitration, the furnishing of information, documents or records in
        accordance with any provision of this Section shall be subject to
        applicable rules relating to discovery.

        8.13 NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY. The terms and provisions of this
Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and their
respective successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of the
parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person or entity
other than any person or entity entitled to indemnity under Article VI.

        8.14 HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted
for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions
hereof.

        8.15 INVALID PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the
rights or obligations of any party hereto under this Agreement will not be
materially and adversely affected thereby, (a) such provision will be fully
severable, (b) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (c) the
remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and
will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by
its severance herefrom and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a
legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

                                 RES-CARE, INC.                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                 By: _________________________________________ 
                                          Paul G. Dunn                         
                                          Executive Vice President-Development 
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                 _____________________________________________ 
                                 Richard Greer                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                      -37-
<PAGE>   38
                                                                               
                                 _____________________________________________ 
                                 Robert Greer                                  
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                 _____________________________________________ 
                                 Alicia Greer Austin                           
                                                                               
                                   

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   39

                         LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
                         ------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

EXHIBITS
- --------

<S>               <C>
A                 Form of Promissory Note
B                 Form of Second Note
C                 Example of calculation of purchase price
D1-D3             Employment Agreements
E1-E3             Noncompetition and Confidentiality Agreements
F1-F3             Company Leases
G                 Opinion of counsel for Selling Shareholders
H1-H3             Other Employment Agreements
I                 Opinion of counsel for Buyer

SCHEDULES
- ---------

2.4               Holders of common capital stock
2.5               Authorized, issued and outstanding stock
2.7               Exceptions to no liabilities for which accruals or reserves
                  have not been maintained
2.8               Exceptions to no changes
2.9               Exceptions to no approvals required from governmental agencies
                  or authorities
2.11              Leases, employment agreements, provider and third-party payor
                  agreements
2.12              Exceptions to no loss of relationships with third-party payors
                  or Agencies
2.13              Exceptions to no waivers, grandfather provisions or variances
                  under Licenses
2.14              List and description of claims, lawsuits, etc.
2.16              Exceptions to no liabilities for arrears of wages or taxes or
                  penalties
2.17              List of all company insurance policies
2.20              Exceptions to no accounts receivable assigned or pledged
2.22              List of employee benefit plans
2.23              Exceptions to no contracts between Company and Sellers or
                  affiliates

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 2.2
                                                                     -----------

                              TERM PROMISSORY NOTE
                              --------------------

$9,000,000.00                                               Louisville, Kentucky
                                                                   July 31, 1997


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, RES-CARE, INC., a Kentucky corporation with its
principal office and place of business at 10140 Linn Station Road, Louisville,
Kentucky 40223 (the "Maker"), promises and agrees to pay to D. RICHARD GREER,
ROBERT V. GREER AND ALICIA GREER AUSTIN of Lenoir, North Carolina (collectively,
"Payees"), the aggregate principal sum of NINE MILLION DOLLARS ($9,000,000.00),
subject to reduction as provided below, without interest (except as provided in
Section 4 below), in legal tender of the United States of America.

         1.   PURPOSE OF NOTE. This Note is being delivered by Maker in 
connection with its purchase from Payees of all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of Communications Network Consultants, Inc., a Rhode Island
corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated July
31, 1997, among Maker and the Payees (the "Agreement"). All capitalized terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Agreement.

         2.   PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL; EARN-OUT CALCULATION. The principal of this
Note shall be payable to Payees in three consecutive annual installments of
$3,000,000 (subject to reduction as provided below) on the 1998 Earn-out Date,
the 1999 Earn-out Date and the 2000 Earn-out Date. The respective installments
payable under this Note shall be subject to reduction as follows:

              (a)   The installment payable on the 1998 Earn-out Date shall be
         reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be zero) if the Company
         Earnings for the First Measurement Period do not equal or exceed
         $3,552,000. The installment payable on the 1998 Earn-out Date shall not
         be reduced and shall be $3,000,000 if the Company Earnings for the
         First Measurement Period equal or exceed $4,868,000. If the Company
         Earnings for the First Measurement Period are between $4,868,000 and
         $3,552,000, the installment payable on the 1998 Earn-out Date shall be
         equal to the product of (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the Company
         Earnings for the First Measurement Period minus $3,552,000, divided by
         (B) $1,316,000.

              (b)   The installment payable on the 1999 Earn-out Date shall be
         reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be zero) if the Company
         Earnings for the Second Measurement Period do not equal or exceed
         $4,868,000. The installment payable on the 1999 Earn- out Date shall
         not be reduced and shall be $3,000,000 if the Company Earnings for the
         Second Measurement Period equal or exceed $5,842,000. If the Company
         Earnings for the Second Measurement Period are between $5,842,000 and
         $4,868,000, the installment payable on the 1999 Earn-out Date shall be
         equal to the product of (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the Company
         Earnings for the Second Measurement Period minus $4,868,000, divided by
         (B) $974,000.
<PAGE>   2

              (c)   The installment payable on the 2000 Earn-out Date shall be
         reduced by $3,000,000 (and therefore shall be zero) if the Company
         Earnings for the Third Measurement Period do not equal or exceed
         $5,842,000. The installment payable on the 2000 Earn-out Date shall not
         be reduced and shall be $3,000,000 if the Company Earnings for the
         Third Measurement Period equal or exceed $7,010,000. If the Company
         Earnings for the Third Measurement Period are between $7,010,000 and
         $5,842,000, the installment payable on the 2000 Earn-out Date shall be
         equal to the product of (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) (A) the Company
         Earnings for the Third Measurement Period minus $5,842,000, divided by
         (B) $1,168,000.

All of the provisions of the Agreement relating to the calculation and payment
of the installments of this Note, including but not limited to the procedures
for the resolution of any disagreement regarding the calculation of Company
Earnings or any reduction in any installment hereunder, are incorporated herein
by this reference.

         3.   PROPORTIONATE INTERESTS OF PAYEES; PLACE OF PAYMENTS. All payments
hereunder shall be allocated and apportioned to the Payees as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                 <C>
               D. Richard Greer                                     70%
               Robert V. Greer                                      25%
               Alicia Greer Austin                                   5%
</TABLE>

All amounts payable under this Note shall be paid by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated in a written
notice delivered by Payees to Maker.

         4.   INTEREST. Except as provided in this Section 4, this Note and the
amounts due hereunder shall not bear interest. The unpaid outstanding balance of
any installment payable under this Note shall bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to seven percent (7%) from the applicable Earn-out Date to and including
the date such balance of such installment is actually paid to Payees. However,
if (i) such installment is not paid within sixty (60) days after the applicable
Earn-out Date, and (ii) Maker has not paid that portion of the installment
payable which is not in dispute or is not disputing the balance of such
installment in good faith, then, in lieu of the interest contemplated by the
preceding sentence, such installment shall bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to ten percent (10%) from the applicable Earn-out Date to and including
the date the balance of such installment is actually paid to Payees.

         5.   PROVISIONS RELATING TO VESTING OR FORFEITURE OF INSTALLMENTS.
Contemporaneously herewith, each of the Payees and the Company have executed
employment agreements (collectively, the "Employment Agreements") providing,
INTER ALIA, for the employment by the Company of the Payees for a period of
three (3) years from the date hereof.

              (a)   TERMINATION BY COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY A PAYEE FOR
         GOOD REASON. If the employment of any of the Payees is terminated (i)
         by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5(c) of the
         Employment Agreements) or (ii) by the respective Payee for Good Reason
         (as defined in Section 5(e) of the Employment Agreement applicable to
         such Payee), the installment payable under this Note for the
         Measurement Period in which such termination occurs, and the remaining
         amount of any installment 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

         under this Note for each subsequent Measurement Period after such
         termination occurs, shall, unless they have been previously forfeited,
         be paid to the Payees determined without regard to whether the
         threshold amounts or performance levels are reached in the Measurement
         Period during which termination occurs and later Measurement Periods,
         as and when such installments would otherwise be due hereunder. None of
         the Payees may be terminated without Cause without Maker's consent and
         no termination by any Payee shall be considered to be for "Good Reason"
         unless Maker consents in writing to the action which is the basis for
         such termination.

              (b)   TERMINATION OF D. RICHARD GREER OTHER THAN FOR GOOD
         REASON. If D. Richard Greer terminates his employment with the Company
         other than for Good Reason, all installments payable to Payees under
         this Note for all Measurement Periods commencing with the Measurement
         Period in which such termination occurs shall be forfeited by Payees.

              (c)   TERMINATION OF ROBERT V. GREER OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON.
         If Robert V. Greer ("Robert") terminates his employment with the
         Company other than for Good Reason, the proportionate amounts of all
         installments hereunder which are otherwise payable to Robert under this
         Note for all Measurement Periods commencing with the Measurement Period
         in which such termination occurs shall be forfeited by Robert. No
         amount so forfeited by Robert shall be payable to any other Payee.

         6.   NO WAIVER; TIME OF THE ESSENCE. The failure of Payees to exercise
any of their rights and remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right to
exercise them at that or any other time. Time shall be of the essence in the
payment of all sums due under this Note and the performance of Maker's other
obligations.

         7.   EXPENSES. If this Note is placed in the hands of any attorney for
collection or is collected through any court including any bankruptcy court,
Maker promises and agrees to pay to Payees their reasonable attorneys' fees,
court costs and all other expenses incurred in collecting or attempting to
collect or securing or attempting to secure this Note as provided by the laws of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

         8.   WAIVERS. The Maker waives (a) presentment, demand, notice of
dishonor, protest, notice of protest and non-payment and (b) all exemptions to
which Maker may now or hereafter be entitled under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Kentucky or of the United States and agrees that Payees shall have the right
to grant Maker any extension of time for payment of this Note or any other
indulgence or forbearance whatsoever without in any way affecting the liability
of Maker under this Note and without waiving any rights Payees may have under
this Note or by virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or of the
United States.

         9.   PREPAYMENTS. This Note may be prepaid in whole or in part at any
time without premium or penalty.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

         10.  GOVERNING LAW. This Note has been delivered in and shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has caused this Note to be duly executed and
delivered by an authorized officer thereof as of the day, month and year first
above written.

                               RES-CARE, INC.


                               By: ____________________________________________
                                        Paul G. Dunn
                                        Executive Vice President of Development
Attest:


By: /s/ Gary R. Weltkamp        
   ------------------------
Name: GARY R. WELTKAMP
     ---------------------------

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
                              TERM PROMISSORY NOTE
                              --------------------

$2,500,000.00                                               Louisville, Kentucky
                                                                   July 31, 1997


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, RES-CARE, INC., a Kentucky corporation with its
principal office and place of business at 10140 Linn Station Road, Louisville,
Kentucky 40223 (the "Maker"), promises and agrees to pay to D. RICHARD GREER,
ROBERT V. GREER AND ALICIA GREER AUSTIN of Lenoir, North Carolina (collectively,
"Payees"), the aggregate principal sum of TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($2,500,000.00), together with interest upon such aggregate principal
balance at the rate provided below, in legal tender of the United States of
America.

     1.   INTEREST RATE. The principal balance of this Note as the same shall
exist from time to time shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to seven
percent (7%). All interest under this Note shall be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over an assumed year of 365 days.

     2.   PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; MANNER OF PAYMENTS. All accrued
interest on this Note shall be paid to Payees annually in arrears on each
anniversary of the date hereof, so long as this Note or any part hereof remains
unpaid, and shall also be paid to Payees in full on the Maturity Date (as
defined below). The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be paid in
two (2) consecutive annual installments, the first of which shall be payable on
the first anniversary of the date hereof and shall be equal to One Million Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00), and a final installment payable
on the second anniversary of the date hereof equal to the remaining principal
balance hereof, which date shall be considered the maturity date of this Note
(the "Maturity Date"). All amounts payable under this Note shall be paid by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated in a
written notice delivered by Payees to Maker.

     3.   PURPOSE OF NOTE; SETOFF PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT. This Note is being
delivered by Maker in connection with its purchase from Payees of all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Communications Network Consultants,
Inc., a Rhode Island corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement dated July 31, 1997, among Maker and the Payees (the "Agreement").
Maker may set off against principal and interest payments payable by it
hereunder all amounts for which Maker or the Company shall be entitled to
indemnification by Payees under, and in accordance with the provisions of,
Article VI of the Agreement.

     4.   DEFAULT. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events
shall be an "Event of Default":

          (a)   if the Maker shall fail to pay any installment of principal or
     interest due under this Note within ten (10) days after the due date
     thereof; provided, however, the failure to pay any installment of principal
     or interest by reason of the exercise of Maker's


<PAGE>   6

     right of setoff in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Agreement shall not
     be considered an Event of Default;

          (b)   the making of an assignment for the benefit of creditors by
     Maker; the voluntary appointment (at the request of any such party or with
     the consent of any such party) of a receiver, custodian, liquidator or
     trustee in bankruptcy of the property of Maker; the filing by Maker of a
     petition in bankruptcy or adjudication of Maker as a bankrupt or insolvent;
     or the filing by Maker of any petition or answer seeking or acquiescing in
     any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation,
     dissolution or similar relief under any present or future federal, state or
     other law or regulation relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief
     for debtors; and

          (c)   the filing against Maker of a petition seeking any
     reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation,
     dissolution or similar relief under any present or future federal, state or
     other law or regulation relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
     relief for debtors, or the involuntary appointment of a receiver,
     custodian, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy of the property of Maker,
     and such petition or appointment is not vacated or discharged within ninety
     (90) days after the filing or making thereof.

     5.   NO WAIVER; REMEDIES. The failure of Payees to exercise any of their
rights and remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise them
at that or any other time. Time shall be of the essence in the payment of all
sums due under this Note.

     6.   EXPENSES. If after the occurrence of an Event of Default this Note is
placed in the hands of any attorney for collection or is collected through any
court including any bankruptcy court, Maker promises and agrees to pay to Payees
their reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and all other expenses incurred in
collecting or attempting to collect or securing or attempting to secure this
Note as provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

     7.   WAIVERS. The Maker waives (a) presentment, demand, notice of dishonor,
protest, notice of protest and non-payment and (b) all exemptions to which Maker
may now or hereafter be entitled under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
or of the United States and agrees that Payees shall have the right to grant
Maker any extension of time for payment of this Note or any other indulgence or
forbearance whatsoever without in any way affecting the liability of Maker under
this Note and without waiving any rights Payees may have under this Note or by
virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or of the United States.

     8.   PREPAYMENTS. This Note may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time
without premium or penalty. On the date of such prepayment, the Maker shall pay
all accrued interest on the Note to such date.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   7

     9.   GOVERNING LAW. This Note has been delivered in and shall be governed 
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has caused this Note to be duly executed and
delivered by an authorized officer thereof as of the day, month and year first
above written.

                                   RES-CARE, INC.


                                   By:_________________________________________
                                         Paul G. Dunn
                                         Executive Vice President of Development
Attest:


By: /s/ Gary R. Weitkamp
   -----------------------------

Name: GARY R. WEITKAMP
     ---------------------------------


                                      -3-



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