Subsidiary Guarantors (Details 3) (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
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 16,904	$ 11,334	$ 10,239	$ 11,296	$ 18,235	$ 12,244	$ 4,799	$ 5,735	$ 49,773	$ 41,013	$ 52,992
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities									11,529	39,308	19,620
Cash provided by operating activities									61,302	80,321	72,612
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment									(20,610)	(15,485)	(13,507)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									(39,318)	(30,690)	(23,106)
Proceeds from sale of assets									535	166	221
Cash used in investing activities									(59,393)	(46,009)	(36,392)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments									(14,709)	(174,718)	(38,824)
Long-term debt borrowings										175,000
Payments on obligations under capital leases, net									(7,206)	(6,034)	(92)
Debt issuance costs									(2)	(4,008)	(561)
Funds contributed by co-investors											1,400
Cash used in financing activities									(21,917)	(9,760)	(38,077)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents									(129)	(69)	(44)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(20,137)	24,483	(1,901)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				50,134				25,651	50,134	25,651	27,552
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	29,997				50,134				29,997	50,134	25,651
ResCare, Inc.
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)									49,883	41,123	53,163
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities									(105,637)	(95,532)	(196,342)
Cash provided by operating activities									(55,754)	(54,409)	(143,179)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment									(11,422)	(9,979)	(21,566)
Cash used in investing activities									(11,422)	(9,979)	(21,566)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments									(12,562)	(171,828)	(37,134)
Long-term debt borrowings										175,000
Debt issuance costs									(2)	(4,008)	(561)
Funds contributed by co-investors											1,400
Net activity relating to intercompany financing									63,442	91,124	206,689
Cash used in financing activities									50,878	90,288	170,394
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(16,298)	25,900	5,649
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				42,633				16,733	42,633	16,733	11,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	26,335				42,633				26,335	42,633	16,733
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)									83,812	79,990	82,794
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities									36,695	54,832	130,768
Cash provided by operating activities									120,507	134,822	213,562
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment									(9,145)	(5,337)	7,826
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									(39,318)	(30,690)	(23,106)
Proceeds from sale of assets									535	166	221
Cash used in investing activities									(47,928)	(35,861)	(15,059)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments									(1,568)	(2,493)	2,142
Payments on obligations under capital leases, net									(7,206)	(6,034)	(92)
Net activity relating to intercompany financing									(65,740)	(92,117)	(203,768)
Cash used in financing activities									(74,514)	(100,644)	(201,718)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents										(69)	(63)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1,935)	(1,752)	(3,278)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				4,795				6,547	4,795	6,547	9,825
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,860				4,795				2,860	4,795	6,547
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)									(233)	(179)	(8,963)
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities									(3,218)	87	11,192
Cash provided by operating activities									(3,451)	(92)	2,229
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment									(43)	(169)	233
Cash used in investing activities									(43)	(169)	233
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments									(579)	(397)	(3,832)
Net activity relating to intercompany financing									2,298	993	(2,921)
Cash used in financing activities									1,719	596	(6,753)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents									(129)		19
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1,904)	335	(4,272)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				2,706				2,371	2,706	2,371	6,643
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	802				2,706				802	2,706	2,371
Eliminations
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)									(83,689)	(79,921)	(74,002)
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities									$ 83,689	$ 79,921	$ 74,002