Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities	$ 11,594,000	$ 9,170,000
Cash used in financing activities	(4,037,000)	(8,506,000)
Immaterial adjustments to condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Adjustments impact on consolidated amounts	0
U.S. subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries which jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the senior notes	100.00%
ResCare, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities	8,446,000	(6,416,000)
Cash used in financing activities	(3,393,000)	6,197,000
ResCare, Inc. | Immaterial adjustments to condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities		(34,700,000)
Cash used in financing activities		34,700,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities	3,000,000	15,323,000
Cash used in financing activities	(557,000)	(14,412,000)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Immaterial adjustments to condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities		35,100,000
Cash used in financing activities		(35,100,000)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities	148,000	263,000
Cash used in financing activities	(87,000)	(291,000)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Immaterial adjustments to condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operating activities		(400,000)
Cash used in financing activities		$ 400,000