8-K

UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549______________FORM 8-KCURRENT REPORTPursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):December 30, 2008RES-CARE, INC.(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

Kentucky	0-20372	61-0875371
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9901 Linn Station Road, Louisville, Kentucky	40223
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

(502) 394-2100(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On December 30, 2008, Res-Care, Inc. issued a press release providing full-year 2009 guidance of diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations in the range of $1.52 to $1.58 and revenues of $1.61 billion to $1.67 billion.  A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01	Financial Statements & Exhibits.
	Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
	99.1	Press release dated December 30, 2008.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	RES-CARE, INC.
Date:	December 30, 2008	By:	/s/ David W. Miles
		David W. Miles
		Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	Description of Exhibits
99.1	Press release dated December 30, 2008.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

ResCare Announces 2009 Earnings Guidance

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 30, 2008--ResCare, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSCR) today provided full-year 2009 guidance of diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations in the range of $1.52 to $1.58 and revenues of $1.61 billion to $1.67 billion.

The 2009 guidance assumes a decrease of approximately one-half of one percent in aggregate reimbursement rates for the second half of 2009 within the Company's Community Services Group. Additionally, the guidance assumes an income tax rate of 37% and acquisition-related costs of approximately $0.03 per diluted common share associated with planned 2009 acquisitions as a result of the adoption of a new accounting standard. The Company will issue full financial results for the fourth quarter and year ending December 31, 2008, after the market closes on March 9, 2009, and will discuss its 2009 guidance in more detail during its conference call on March 10, 2009.

ResCare, with nearly 35 years of experience helping people reach their highest level of independence, is one of the largest providers of home care to the elderly and those with disabilities. It also offers residential and support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides education, vocational training and job placement for people of all ages and skill levels. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, ResCare and its more than 44,000 dedicated employees serve daily more than 65,000 people in 39 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and in a growing number of international locations. For more information about ResCare, please visit the Company’s website at www.rescare.com.

From time to time, ResCare makes forward-looking statements in its public disclosures, including statements relating to expected financial results, revenues that might be expected from new or acquired programs and facilities, its development and acquisition activities, reimbursement under federal and state programs, financing plans, compliance with debt covenants and other risk factors, and various trends favoring privatization of government programs. In ResCare’s filings under the federal securities laws, including its annual, periodic and current reports, the Company identifies important factors that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Please refer to the discussion of those factors in the Company’s filed reports. Statements related to expected financial results are as of this date only, and ResCare does not assume any responsibility to update these statements.

CONTACT:
ResCare, Inc.
David W. Miles, 502-394-2137
Chief Financial Officer
or
Derwin A. Wallace, 502-420-2567
Director of Investor Relations