CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 46,703	$ 50,134
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,788 in 2013 and $11,997 in 2012	228,506	228,377
Refundable income taxes	1,251
Deferred income taxes	17,125	17,589
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21,060	22,116
Total current assets	314,645	318,216
Property and equipment, net	94,959	97,030
Goodwill	288,140	288,265
Other intangible assets, net	319,564	321,293
Other assets	23,904	27,154
Total assets	1,041,212	1,051,958
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	33,245	37,738
Accrued expenses	104,447	114,876
Current portion of long-term debt	10,009	14,695
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	5,834	6,052
Accrued income taxes	802	1,813
Total current liabilities	154,337	175,174
Long-term liabilities	56,368	56,469
Long-term debt	356,203	358,420
Obligations under capital leases	10,732	11,632
Deferred income taxes	107,753	106,253
Total liabilities	685,393	707,948
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 2013 and 2012
Common stock, no par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 21,344,741 in 2013 and 2012
Additional paid-in capital	245,049	244,345
Retained earnings	111,066	99,734
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(161)	30
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	355,954	344,109
Noncontrolling interest	(135)	(99)
Total shareholder's equity	355,819	344,010
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 1,041,212	$ 1,051,958