Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			5
Segment Information
Revenues	$ 409,934	$ 396,838	$ 1,195,621	$ 1,194,082
Operating income (loss)	24,924	28,736	69,894	72,345
Total assets	1,081,800	1,024,235	1,081,800	1,024,235	1,051,958
Capital expenditures	6,795	3,909	15,007	11,324
Depreciation and amortization	8,809	8,199	25,535	25,208
Residential Services
Segment Information
Revenues	224,823	212,623	651,678	631,533
Operating income (loss)	29,127	29,819	78,673	83,998
Total assets	613,770	589,011	613,770	589,011
Capital expenditures	3,979	1,494	7,550	3,933
Depreciation and amortization	5,432	4,925	15,800	15,244
ResCare HomeCare
Segment Information
Revenues	93,645	82,996	271,886	250,462
Operating income (loss)	7,843	5,886	18,921	16,234
Total assets	191,130	169,957	191,130	169,957
Capital expenditures	204	135	564	695
Depreciation and amortization	759	686	2,139	2,067
Education & Training Services
Segment Information
Revenues	31,074	36,946	100,492	114,058
Operating income (loss)	2,867	2,979	7,601	9,552
Total assets	50,495	56,802	50,495	56,802
Capital expenditures	39	9	117	45
Depreciation and amortization	134	152	401	460
Workforce Services
Segment Information
Revenues	42,257	48,797	121,671	149,113
Operating income (loss)	4,909	3,448	12,589	7,751
Total assets	83,774	89,415	83,774	89,415
Capital expenditures	228	250	352	425
Depreciation and amortization	287	324	833	948
Pharmacy Services
Segment Information
Revenues	18,135	15,476	49,894	48,916
Operating income (loss)	844	1,405	4,448	3,717
Total assets	18,609	12,678	18,609	12,678
Capital expenditures	71	7	304	85
Depreciation and amortization	41	36	111	122
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating income (loss)	(20,666)	(14,801)	(52,338)	(48,907)
Total assets	124,022	106,372	124,022	106,372
Capital expenditures	2,274	2,014	6,120	6,141
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,156	$ 2,076	$ 6,251	$ 6,367