Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Revenues	$ 421,012	$ 409,934	$ 396,233	$ 389,454	$ 405,027	$ 396,838	$ 399,902	$ 397,342	$ 1,616,633	$ 1,599,109	$ 1,579,335
Operating income (loss)									103,723	109,159	103,900
Total assets	1,086,277				1,051,958				1,086,277	1,051,958	992,258
Capital expenditures									20,610	15,485	13,507
Depreciation and amortization									34,395	33,371	20,929
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating income (loss)									(70,298)	(61,515)	(56,015)
Total assets	98,608				117,627				98,608	117,627	94,702
Capital expenditures									10,068	8,295	5,722
Depreciation and amortization									8,399	8,348	5,407
Residential Services | Operating segment
Segment Information
Revenues									886,262	851,279	822,705
Operating income (loss)									111,069	117,510	101,694
Total assets	625,680				596,183				625,680	596,183	544,589
Capital expenditures									8,802	5,843	6,078
Depreciation and amortization									21,326	20,413	11,459
ResCare HomeCare | Operating segment
Segment Information
Revenues									365,919	336,975	320,477
Operating income (loss)									28,433	23,852	23,649
Total assets	205,027				183,615				205,027	183,615	178,474
Capital expenditures									747	623	552
Depreciation and amortization									2,816	2,599	2,063
Educational & Training Services | Operating segment
Segment Information
Revenues									133,283	150,647	154,347
Operating income (loss)									10,763	11,915	13,075
Total assets	51,252				56,723				51,252	56,723	69,387
Capital expenditures									102	104	72
Depreciation and amortization									534	604	508
Workforce Services | Operating segment
Segment Information
Revenues									161,904	195,956	218,886
Operating income (loss)									17,377	12,117	18,352
Total assets	86,840				84,881				86,840	84,881	93,064
Capital expenditures									542	486	873
Depreciation and amortization									1,170	1,254	1,325
Pharmacy Services | Operating segment
Segment Information
Revenues									69,265	64,252	62,920
Operating income (loss)									6,379	5,280	3,145
Total assets	18,870				12,929				18,870	12,929	12,042
Capital expenditures									349	134	210
Depreciation and amortization									$ 150	$ 153	$ 167