Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Revenues	$ 396,838	$ 396,267	$ 1,194,082	$ 1,181,443
Operating income (loss)	28,498	31,388	72,330	76,613
Total assets	1,007,645	981,324	1,007,645	981,324	992,258
Capital expenditures	3,909	3,833	11,324	9,133
Depreciation and amortization	6,661	4,192	20,010	14,156
Residential Services
Segment Information
Revenues	220,950	217,012	658,916	635,840
Operating income (loss)	30,772	28,100	87,360	74,019
Total assets	541,257	526,914	541,257	526,914
Capital expenditures	1,385	1,856	3,824	4,176
Depreciation and amortization	3,308	2,252	9,856	7,551
ResCare HomeCare
Segment Information
Revenues	82,485	79,572	249,848	237,652
Operating income (loss)	5,477	6,279	15,654	17,218
Total assets	174,645	168,050	174,645	168,050
Capital expenditures	137	155	699	339
Depreciation and amortization	611	473	1,810	1,548
Youth Services
Segment Information
Revenues	44,606	46,320	136,205	137,984
Operating income (loss)	3,602	3,342	10,473	10,908
Total assets	95,993	97,412	95,993	97,412
Capital expenditures	251	29	425	129
Depreciation and amortization	347	186	1,044	749
Workforce Services
Segment Information
Revenues	48,797	53,363	149,113	169,967
Operating income (loss)	3,448	4,985	7,750	14,154
Total assets	89,366	93,932	89,366	93,932
Capital expenditures	123	46	236	850
Depreciation and amortization	319	315	933	998
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating income (loss)	(14,801)	(11,318)	(48,907)	(39,686)
Total assets	106,384	95,016	106,384	95,016
Capital expenditures	2,013	1,747	6,140	3,639
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,076	$ 966	$ 6,367	$ 3,310