CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 61,076	$ 50,134	$ 33,298	$ 25,651
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15,144 in 2013 and $11,997 in 2012	230,439	228,377
Refundable income taxes	3,767
Deferred income taxes	17,355	17,589
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,345	22,116
Total current assets	335,982	318,216
Property and equipment, net	98,202	97,030	98,979
Goodwill	289,686	288,265
Other intangible assets, net	319,287	321,293
Other assets	23,972	27,154
Total assets	1,067,129	1,051,958	1,018,532
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	34,737	37,738
Accrued expenses	115,147	114,876
Current portion of long-term debt	9,996	14,695
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	6,670	6,052
Accrued income taxes	225	1,813
Total current liabilities	166,775	175,174
Long-term liabilities	56,739	56,469
Long-term debt	354,538	358,420
Obligations under capital leases	14,028	11,632	11,950
Deferred income taxes	108,366	106,253
Total liabilities	700,446	707,948
Shareholder's equity:
Preferred shares, authorized 1,000,000 shares, no par value, except 48,095 shares designated as Series A with stated value of $1,050 per share, no shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012
Common stock, no par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 21,344,741 in 2013 and 2012
Additional paid-in capital	245,897	244,345
Retained earnings	121,345	99,734
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(384)	30
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	366,858	344,109
Noncontrolling interest	(175)	(99)		11
Total shareholder's equity	366,683	344,010
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 1,067,129	$ 1,051,958