CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,190	$ 50,134	$ 29,084	$ 25,651
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,978 in 2013 and $11,997 in 2012	230,745	228,377
Refundable income taxes	2,982
Deferred income taxes	18,870	17,589
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	26,434	22,116
Total current assets	330,221	318,216
Property and equipment, net	100,128	97,030	97,976
Goodwill	301,710	288,265
Other intangible assets, net	326,038	321,293
Other assets	23,703	27,154
Total assets	1,081,800	1,051,958	1,024,235
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	32,296	37,738
Accrued expenses	140,340	114,876
Current portion of long-term debt	12,305	14,695
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	6,606	6,052
Accrued income taxes	606	1,813
Total current liabilities	192,153	175,174
Long-term liabilities	37,449	56,469
Long-term debt	350,247	358,420
Obligations under capital leases	14,040	11,632	11,791
Deferred income taxes	109,014	106,253
Total liabilities	702,903	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	246,721	244,345
Retained earnings	132,713	99,734
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(328)	30
Total shareholder's equity - Res-Care, Inc.	379,106	344,109
Noncontrolling interest	(209)	(99)		11
Total shareholder's equity	378,897	344,010
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$ 1,081,800	$ 1,051,958