CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 33,298	$ 25,651	$ 11,531	$ 27,552
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,282 in 2012 and $6,413 in 2011	225,321	221,089
Refundable income taxes	9,636	11,432
Deferred income taxes	14,928	13,668
Non-trade receivables	3,979	6,684
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,541	18,532
Total current assets	302,703	297,056
Property and equipment, net	82,348	84,893
Goodwill	273,378	267,697
Other intangible assets, net	314,402	314,954
Other assets	29,070	27,658
Total assets	1,001,901	992,258	963,116
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	38,809	46,107
Accrued expenses	116,872	122,632
Current portion of long-term debt	10,195	4,540
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	78	89
Accrued income taxes	597	969
Total current liabilities	166,551	174,337
Long-term liabilities	55,659	55,200
Long-term debt	367,032	364,854
Obligations under capital leases	306	342
Deferred gains	225	300
Deferred income taxes	100,154	98,270
Total liabilities	689,927	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	242,535	240,509
Retained earnings	69,636	58,611
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(147)	(176)
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	312,024	298,944
Noncontrolling interest	(50)	11		182
Total shareholder's equity	311,974	298,955
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 1,001,901	$ 992,258