Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 item	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			5
Segment Information
Revenues	$ 396,233	$ 399,902	$ 785,687	$ 797,244
Operating income (loss)	23,772	23,563	44,970	43,609
Total assets	1,067,129	1,018,532	1,067,129	1,018,532	1,051,958
Capital expenditures	4,109	3,154	8,212	7,415
Depreciation and amortization	8,531	8,202	16,726	17,009
Residential Services
Segment Information
Revenues	207,580	202,943	412,081	403,741
Operating income (loss)	24,493	27,436	48,891	54,005
Total assets	552,497	528,951	552,497	528,951
Capital expenditures	1,865	1,103	3,535	2,362
Depreciation and amortization	5,113	4,631	9,952	9,849
ResCare HomeCare
Segment Information
Revenues	89,991	84,129	178,059	168,148
Operating income (loss)	6,064	5,432	10,596	10,230
Total assets	197,163	182,050	197,163	182,050
Capital expenditures	181	169	399	561
Depreciation and amortization	673	688	1,355	1,371
Education And Training Services
Segment Information
Revenues	42,494	45,042	84,374	91,599
Operating income (loss)	2,810	3,604	5,871	6,865
Total assets	91,326	105,093	91,326	105,093
Capital expenditures	42	24	75	112
Depreciation and amortization	347	385	708	792
Workforce Services
Segment Information
Revenues	39,596	51,487	79,414	100,316
Operating income (loss)	4,068	2,355	7,680	4,303
Total assets	78,322	81,709	78,322	81,709
Capital expenditures	110	105	125	175
Depreciation and amortization	270	311	546	621
Pharmacy Services
Segment Information
Revenues	16,572	16,301	31,759	33,440
Operating income (loss)	2,577	1,167	3,604	2,312
Total assets	18,786	13,083	18,786	13,083
Capital expenditures	64	2	233	78
Depreciation and amortization	38	38	70	85
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating income (loss)	(16,240)	(16,431)	(31,672)	(34,106)
Total assets	129,035	107,646	129,035	107,646
Capital expenditures	1,847	1,751	3,845	4,127
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,090	$ 2,149	$ 4,095	$ 4,291