Subsidiary Guarantors (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Revenues	$ 431,434	$ 396,233	$ 852,917	$ 785,687
Operating expenses	411,607	372,461	816,875	740,717
Operating income	19,827	23,772	36,042	44,970
Other expenses (income):
Interest, net	8,500	7,665	16,574	16,202
Loss on extinguishment of debt	659		659
Total other (income) expenses	9,159	7,665	17,233	16,202
(Loss) income before income taxes	10,668	16,107	18,809	28,768
Income tax (benefit) expense	4,380	5,868	7,846	7,233
Net income	6,288	10,239	10,963	21,535
Net loss-noncontrolling interest		(40)		(76)
Net income-Res-Care, Inc.	6,288	10,279	10,963	21,611
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	235	(223)	(29)	(414)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	6,523	10,056	10,934	21,197
Total comprehensive income (loss)	6,523	10,016	10,934	21,121
Parent Company [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Revenues	64,084	62,612	126,220	123,064
Operating expenses	61,388	67,277	125,436	132,454
Operating income	2,696	(4,665)	784	(9,390)
Other expenses (income):
Interest, net	8,168	7,935	15,900	16,230
Loss on extinguishment of debt	659		659
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(9,945)	(24,576)	(20,159)	(40,791)
Total other (income) expenses	(1,118)	(16,641)	(3,600)	(24,561)
(Loss) income before income taxes	3,814	11,976	4,384	15,171
Income tax (benefit) expense	(2,474)	1,697	(6,579)	(6,440)
Net income	6,288	10,279	10,963	21,611
Net income-Res-Care, Inc.	6,288	10,279	10,963	21,611
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	235	(223)	(29)	(414)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	6,523	10,056	10,934	21,197
Total comprehensive income (loss)	6,523	10,056	10,934	21,197
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Revenues	366,960	332,866	725,910	661,116
Operating expenses	349,908	304,324	690,726	606,571
Operating income	17,052	28,542	35,184	54,545
Other expenses (income):
Interest, net	333	(327)	676	(142)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(304)		(447)
Total other (income) expenses	333	(631)	676	(589)
(Loss) income before income taxes	16,719	29,173	34,508	55,134
Income tax (benefit) expense	6,820	4,195	14,393	13,748
Net income	9,899	24,978	20,115	41,386
Net income-Res-Care, Inc.	9,899	24,978	20,115	41,386
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	9,899	24,978	20,115	41,386
Total comprehensive income (loss)	9,899	24,978	20,115	41,386
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Revenues	390	755	787	1,507
Operating expenses	311	860	713	1,692
Operating income	79	(105)	74	(185)
Other expenses (income):
Interest, net	(1)	57	(2)	114
Total other (income) expenses	(1)	57	(2)	114
(Loss) income before income taxes	80	(162)	76	(299)
Income tax (benefit) expense	34	(24)	32	(75)
Net income	46	(138)	44	(224)
Net loss-noncontrolling interest		(40)		(76)
Net income-Res-Care, Inc.	46	(98)	44	(148)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(235)	(223)	(29)	(414)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	(189)	(321)	15	(562)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(189)	(361)	15	(638)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Other expenses (income):
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	9,945	24,880	20,159	41,238
Total other (income) expenses	9,945	24,880	20,159	41,238
(Loss) income before income taxes	(9,945)	(24,880)	(20,159)	(41,238)
Net income	(9,945)	(24,880)	(20,159)	(41,238)
Net income-Res-Care, Inc.	(9,945)	(24,880)	(20,159)	(41,238)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	235	223	29	414
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Res-Care, Inc.	(9,710)	(24,657)	(20,130)	(40,824)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ (9,710)	$ (24,657)	$ (20,130)	$ (40,824)