CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,084	$ 25,651	$ 11,664	$ 27,552
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,604 in 2012 and $6,413 in 2011	222,786	221,089
Refundable income taxes	7,546	11,432
Deferred income taxes	17,181	13,668
Non-trade receivables	3,404	6,684
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,243	18,532
Total current assets	298,244	297,056
Property and equipment, net	81,386	84,893
Goodwill	281,569	267,697
Other intangible assets, net	318,635	314,954
Other assets	27,811	27,658
Total assets	1,007,645	992,258	981,324
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	34,746	46,107
Accrued expenses	111,513	122,632
Current portion of long-term debt	9,899	4,540
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	74	89
Accrued income taxes	1,318	969
Total current liabilities	157,550	174,337
Long-term liabilities	55,957	55,200
Long-term debt	364,822	364,854
Obligations under capital leases	288	342
Deferred gains	188	300
Deferred income taxes	103,405	98,270
Total liabilities	682,210	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	243,455	240,509
Retained earnings	81,936	58,611
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	118	(176)
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	325,509	298,944
Noncontrolling interest	(74)	11		182
Total shareholder's equity	325,435	298,955
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 1,007,645	$ 992,258