Subsidiary Guarantors (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 15, 2010 Predecessor	Dec. 31, 2010 ResCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 ResCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 ResCare, Inc.	Nov. 15, 2010 ResCare, Inc. Predecessor	Dec. 31, 2010 Guarantor Subsidiaries	Dec. 31, 2012 Guarantor Subsidiaries	Dec. 31, 2011 Guarantor Subsidiaries	Nov. 15, 2010 Guarantor Subsidiaries Predecessor	Dec. 31, 2010 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Dec. 31, 2012 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Dec. 31, 2011 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Nov. 15, 2010 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Predecessor	Dec. 31, 2010 Eliminations	Dec. 31, 2012 Eliminations	Dec. 31, 2011 Eliminations	Nov. 15, 2010 Eliminations Predecessor
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Revenues	$ 195,076	$ 405,027	$ 396,838	$ 399,902	$ 397,342	$ 397,892	$ 396,267	$ 399,092	$ 386,084	$ 1,599,109	$ 1,579,335	$ 1,367,601	$ 31,456	$ 252,422	$ 257,792	$ 277,287	$ 163,620	$ 1,343,482	$ 1,319,735	$ 1,089,451		$ 3,205	$ 1,808	$ 863
Operating expenses	179,022									1,489,950	1,475,435	1,562,160	31,487	274,339	275,681	543,735	147,399	1,212,102	1,197,406	1,013,681	136	3,509	2,348	4,744
Operating income (loss)	16,054	36,814	28,736	23,563	20,046					109,159	103,900	(194,559)	(31)	(21,917)	(17,889)	(266,448)	16,221	131,380	122,329	75,770	(136)	(304)	(540)	(3,881)
Other (income) expenses:
Interest, net	2,810									35,257	42,059	16,461	2,829	34,329	42,124	16,521	(8)	939	(55)	(51)	(11)	(11)	(10)	(9)
Loss on extinguishment of debt				7,100						7,129				7,129
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries													(7,574)	(79,689)	(73,831)	(41,952)		(232)							7,574	79,921	73,831	41,952
Total other expenses, net	2,810									42,386	42,059	16,461	(4,745)	(38,231)	(31,707)	(25,431)	(8)	707	(55)	(51)	(11)	(11)	(10)	(9)	7,574	79,921	73,831	41,952
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	13,244									66,773	61,841	(211,020)	4,714	16,314	13,818	(241,017)	16,229	130,673	122,384	75,821	(125)	(293)	(530)	(3,872)	(7,574)	(79,921)	(73,831)	(41,952)
Income tax (benefit) expense	4,807									25,760	20,005	(50,520)	(1,469)	(24,809)	(19,414)	(64,668)	6,092	50,683	39,590	17,515	184	(114)	(171)	(3,367)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	8,437									41,013	41,836	(160,500)	6,183		33,232	(176,349)	10,137		82,794	58,306	(309)		(359)	(505)	(7,574)		(73,831)	(41,952)
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,254)										11,156	(15,849)			19,760						(2,254)		(8,604)	(15,849)
Net income (loss)	6,183	18,235	12,244	4,799	5,735	12,094	30,290	6,934	3,674	41,013	52,992	(176,349)	6,183	41,123	52,992	(176,349)	10,137	79,990	82,794	58,306	(2,563)	(179)	(8,963)	(16,354)	(7,574)	(79,921)	(73,831)	(41,952)
Net loss-noncontrolling interest	(18)	(25)	(24)	(31)	(30)	(46)	(57)	(36)	(32)	(110)	(171)	(172)	(18)		(171)	(172)					(18)	(110)	(171)	(172)	18		171	172
Net income (loss)-Res-Care, Inc.	6,201	18,260	12,268	4,830	5,765	12,140	30,347	6,970	3,706	41,123	53,163	(176,177)	6,201	41,123	53,163	(176,177)	10,137	79,990	82,794	58,306	(2,545)	(69)	(8,792)	(16,182)	(7,592)	(79,921)	(74,002)	(42,124)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	257									206	(433)	(627)	257	206	(433)	(627)					257	206	(433)	(627)	(257)	(206)	433	627
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	6,458									41,329	52,730	(176,804)	6,458	41,329	52,730	(176,804)	10,137	79,990	82,794	58,306	(2,288)	137	(9,225)	(16,809)	(7,849)	(80,127)	(73,569)	(41,497)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 6,440									$ 41,219	$ 52,559	$ (176,976)	$ 6,440	$ 41,329	$ 52,559	$ (176,976)	$ 10,137	$ 79,990	$ 82,794	$ 58,306	$ (2,306)	$ 27	$ (9,396)	$ (16,981)	$ (7,831)	$ (80,127)	$ (73,398)	$ (41,325)