CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,253	$ 25,651
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,958 in 2012 and $6,413 in 2011	234,078	221,089
Refundable income taxes	7,130	11,432
Deferred income taxes	14,068	13,668
Non-trade receivables	7,529	6,684
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,066	18,532
Total current assets	293,124	297,056
Property and equipment, net	84,308	84,893
Goodwill	270,778	267,697
Other intangible assets, net	314,652	314,954
Other assets	33,798	27,658
Total assets	996,660	992,258
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	42,732	46,107
Accrued expenses	120,565	122,632
Current portion of long-term debt	4,016	4,540
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	85	89
Accrued income taxes	1,069	969
Total current liabilities	168,467	174,337
Long-term liabilities	57,130	55,200
Long-term debt	364,260	364,854
Obligations under capital leases	324	342
Deferred gains	263	300
Deferred income taxes	99,770	98,270
Total liabilities	690,214	693,303
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 2012 and 2011
Common stock, no par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 21,344,741 in 2012 and 2011
Additional paid-in capital	241,684	240,509
Retained earnings	64,796	58,611
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(15)	(176)
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	306,465	298,944
Noncontrolling interest	(19)	11
Total shareholder's equity	306,446	298,955
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 996,660	$ 992,258