Subsidiary Guarantors (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 11,296	$ 5,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,195	8,807
Amortization of discount and deferred debt issuance costs on notes	870	675
Share-based compensation	704	1,174
Deferred income taxes, net	1,964	1,100
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,818	1,549
Loss on sale of assets	102	35
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(15,779)	(20,122)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	9,170	(1,047)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,103)	(4,261)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(7)	(4,550)
Proceeds from sale of assets	81	10
Cash used in investing activities	(4,029)	(8,801)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt (repayments) borrowings	(6,904)	(1,117)
Payments on obligations under capital lease	(1,594)	(1,497)
Debt issuance costs	(8)
Cash used in financing activities	(8,506)	(2,614)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(66)	64
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(3,431)	(12,398)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	50,134	25,651
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	46,703	13,253
ResCare, Inc.
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	11,332	5,765
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,221	4,547
Amortization of discount and deferred debt issuance costs on notes	870	675
Share-based compensation	704	1,174
Deferred income taxes, net	1,964	1,100
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	259	136
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(16,215)	(15,619)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	25,111	58,503
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,246	56,281
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,075)	(3,059)
Cash used in investing activities	(2,075)	(3,059)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt (repayments) borrowings	(6,550)	(283)
Debt issuance costs	(8)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing	(21,907)	(64,339)
Cash used in financing activities	(28,465)	(64,622)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(2,294)	(11,400)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	42,633	16,733
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	40,339	5,333
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	16,408	15,704
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,932	4,256
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,559	1,413
Loss on sale of assets	102	35
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(143)	(43)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(41,605)	3,756
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(19,747)	25,121
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,006)	(1,151)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(7)	(4,550)
Proceeds from sale of assets	81	10
Cash used in investing activities	(1,932)	(5,691)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt (repayments) borrowings	(150)	(718)
Payments on obligations under capital lease	(1,594)	(1,497)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing	22,402	(18,310)
Cash used in financing activities	20,658	(20,525)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(66)	64
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,087)	(1,031)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,795	6,547
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,708	5,516
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	(86)	(72)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	42	4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	715	(82,381)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	671	(82,449)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(22)	(51)
Cash used in investing activities	(22)	(51)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt (repayments) borrowings	(204)	(116)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing	(495)	82,649
Cash used in financing activities	(699)	82,533
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(50)	33
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,706	2,371
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,656	2,404
Eliminations
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	(16,358)	(15,662)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	$ 16,358	$ 15,662