National Mentor (NMH) 10-K 18 Dec 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 18, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NATIONAL MENTOR HOLDINGS, INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001338690	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	100	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$19,315	'
Restricted cash	807	1,134
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $12,494 and $9,250 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively	144,954	153,991
Deferred tax assets, net	18,424	18,764
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,771	20,104
Total current assets	201,271	193,993
Property and equipment, net	153,635	151,548
Intangible assets, net	336,191	372,385
Goodwill	235,623	234,361
Restricted cash	50,000	50,000
Other assets	43,652	42,696
Total assets	1,020,372	1,044,983
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	26,568	33,640
Accrued payroll and related costs	65,340	60,010
Other accrued liabilities	45,066	50,384
Obligations under capital lease, current	430	461
Current portion of long-term debt	5,600	24,300
Total current liabilities	143,004	168,795
Other long-term liabilities	68,936	64,893
Deferred tax liabilities, net	83,235	94,760
Obligations under capital lease, less current portion	6,509	8,384
Long-term debt, less current portion	779,519	752,398
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized and 100 shares issued and outstanding	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	33,929	33,695
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,880	-3,358
Accumulated deficit	-92,880	-74,584
Total shareholder's deficit	-60,831	-44,247
Total liabilities and shareholder's deficit	$1,020,372	$1,044,983

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivable	$12,494	$9,250
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Common stock, shares issued	100	100
Common stock, shares outstanding	100	100

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net revenue	$1,198,653	$1,123,118	$1,062,773
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation expense shown separately below)	935,143	874,778	823,009
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
General and administrative	146,040	140,221	143,949
Depreciation and amortization	64,146	60,534	61,330
Total operating expenses	210,186	200,755	205,279
Income from operations	53,324	47,585	34,485
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Management fee of related party	-1,359	-1,325	-1,271
Other income (expense), net	929	2	-142
Extinguishment of debt	'	'	-19,278
Gain from available for sale investment security	'	'	3,018
Interest income	137	332	22
Interest income from related party	'	'	684
Interest expense	-78,075	-79,445	-61,718
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-25,044	-32,851	-44,200
Benefit for income taxes	-9,472	-19,172	-14,683
Loss from continuing operations	-15,572	-13,679	-29,517
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $1,731, $446 and $2,937	-2,724	-701	-4,625
Net loss	($18,296)	($14,380)	($34,142)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	$1,731	$446	$2,937

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net loss	($18,296)	($14,380)	($34,142)
Other comprehensive loss (gain), net of tax:	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge net of tax for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 of $1,027, $447 and $(2,727), respectively	1,478	659	-4,017
Gain on available-for-sale debt securities net of taxes of $(390) for the year ended September 30, 2011	'	'	-575
Comprehensive loss	($16,818)	($13,721)	($38,734)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]	'	'	'
Tax effects of changes in unrealized gain on derivatives	$1,027	$447	($2,727)
Gain on available-for-sale debt securities, tax portion	'	'	($390)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	$225,133	'	$250,620	$575	($26,062)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2010	100	100	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income(loss), net of tax	-4,592	'	'	-4,592	'
Stock-based compensation	3,675	'	3,675	'	'
Dividend to parent	-221,197	'	-221,197	'	'
Net loss	-34,142	'	'	'	-34,142
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	-31,123	'	33,098	-4,017	-60,204
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	100	100	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income(loss), net of tax	659	'	'	659	'
Stock-based compensation	672	'	672	'	'
Dividend to parent	-75	'	-75	'	'
Net loss	-14,380	'	'	'	-14,380
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	-44,247	'	33,695	-3,358	-74,584
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2012	100	100	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income(loss), net of tax	1,478	'	'	1,478	'
Stock-based compensation	273	'	273	'	'
Dividend to parent	-39	'	-39	'	'
Net loss	-18,296	'	'	'	-18,296
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	($60,831)	'	$33,929	($1,880)	($92,880)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	100	100	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net loss	($18,296)	($14,380)	($34,142)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable allowances	18,286	12,902	11,670
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	25,753	24,118	23,306
Amortization of other intangible assets	37,600	36,885	39,755
Amortization of original issue discount and initial purchasers discount	2,946	2,956	1,924
Amortization and write-off (in 2011) of financing costs	2,851	2,395	10,545
Accretion of investment in related party debt securities	'	'	-325
Stock-based compensation	273	672	3,675
Deferred income taxes	-12,212	-14,561	-19,524
Gain from available for sale investment security	'	'	-3,018
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	165	283	-56
Change in the fair value of contingent consideration	'	'	-2,545
Non-cash impairment charge	6,344	955	11,893
Non-cash interest income from related party	'	'	-359
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-9,249	-33,092	-19,424
Other assets	553	-1,699	2,928
Accounts payable	-5,930	5,961	-1,045
Accrued payroll and related costs	5,330	3,324	6,580
Other accrued liabilities	-2,719	6,562	-2,009
Other long-term liabilities	4,043	-4,030	370
Net cash provided by operating activities	55,738	29,251	30,199
Investing activities	'	'	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received	-9,275	-16,544	-12,688
Purchases of property and equipment	-31,901	-29,995	-20,878
Changes in restricted cash	327	-198	-49,890
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,472	4,075	914
Net cash used in investing activities	-39,377	-42,662	-82,542
Financing activities	'	'	'
Repayments of long-term debt	-5,525	-5,300	-507,114
Issuance of long term-debt, net of original issue discount	30,000	'	760,767
Proceeds from borrowings under senior revolver	469,400	679,200	30,600
Repayments of borrowings under senior revolver	-488,400	-660,200	-30,600
Repayments of capital lease obligations	-434	-399	-244
Cash paid for contingent consideration	'	'	-4,975
Dividend to parent	-39	-75	-207,855
Payments of financing costs	-2,048	-78	-14,421
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,954	13,148	26,158
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	19,315	-263	-26,185
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	'	263	26,448
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	19,315	'	263
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	71,670	73,110	57,827
Cash paid for income taxes, net	1,665	441	1,601
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:	'	'	'
Accrued property, plant and equipment	919	2,093	1,601
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:	'	'	'
Capital lease obligation incurred to acquire assets	'	2,434	5,302
Dividend to parent	'	'	($13,342)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	National Mentor Holdings, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is a leading provider of home and community-based health and human services to adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses; and to youth with emotional, behavioral and/or medically complex challenges. Since the Company’s founding in 1980, the Company’s operations have grown to 35 states. The Company provides residential services to approximately 12,300 clients, some of whom also receive periodic services. Approximately 16,700 clients receive periodic services from the Company in non-residential settings.
	The Company designs customized service plans to meet the unique needs of its clients, which it delivers in home- and community-based settings. Most of the Company’s service plans involve residential support, typically in small group homes, host home settings, or specialized community facilities, designed to improve the clients’ quality of life and to promote their independence and participation in community life. Other services offered include supported living, day and transitional programs, vocational services, case management, family-based and outpatient therapeutic services, post-acute treatment and neurorehabilitation, neurobehavioral rehabilitation and physical, occupational and speech therapies, among others. The Company’s customized service plans offer its clients as well as the payors of these services, an attractive, cost-effective alternative to health and human services provided in large, institutional settings.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	These accounting policies and estimates are constantly reevaluated, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances dictate a change.
	Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers short-term investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily consist of bank deposits and the carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash consists of a cash collateral account set up to support the issuance of letters of credit under the Company’s institutional letter of credit facility and funds provided from government payors restricted for client use.
	Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments include cash, accounts receivables, variable and fixed rate debt, self-insurance assets and liabilities and accounts payable. The carrying value of these instruments approximates their fair values with the exception of the fixed rate debt.
	Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, self-insurance receivables and accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with federally insured commercial banks in the United States, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The unlimited coverage by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) expired on December 31, 2012. Accounts are currently guaranteed by the FDIC up to $250 thousand. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company derives approximately 87% of its revenue from state and local government payors. These entities fund a significant portion of their payments to the Company through federal matching funds, which pass through various state and local government agencies.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is reported net of allowances for unauthorized sales and estimated sales adjustments. Revenue is also reported net of any state provider taxes or gross receipts taxes levied on services the Company provides. Sales adjustments are estimated based on an analysis of historical sales adjustments and recent developments in payment trends. Revenue is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, the service has been provided, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
	The Company recognizes revenue for services performed pursuant to contracts with various state and local government agencies and private health care agencies as follows: cost-reimbursement contract revenue is recognized at the time the service costs are incurred and units-of-service contract revenue is recognized at the time the service is provided. For the Company’s cost-reimbursement contracts, the rate provided by the payor is based on a certain level of service and types of costs incurred in delivering the service. From time to time, the Company receives payments under cost-reimbursement contracts in excess of the allowable costs required to support those payments. In such instances, the Company estimates and records a liability for such excess payments. At the end of the contract period, any balance of excess payments is maintained as a liability until it is reimbursed to the payor. Revenue in the future may be affected by changes in rate-setting structures, methodologies or interpretations that may be enacted in states where the Company operates or by the federal government.
	Cost of Revenue
	The Company classifies expenses directly related to providing services as Cost of revenue, except for depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenue, which are shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations. Direct costs and expenses principally include salaries and benefits for service provider employees, per diem payments to independently contracted host-home caregivers (“Mentors”), residential occupancy expenses, which are primarily comprised of rent and utilities related to facilities providing direct care, certain client expenses such as food and medicine and transportation costs for clients requiring services, and professional and general liability expense.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The Company provides for depreciation using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Estimated useful lives for buildings are 30 years. The useful lives for computer hardware and software are three years, the useful lives for furniture and equipment range from three to five years and the useful lives for vehicles are five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the remaining lease term or seven years. Capital lease assets are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or the useful life of the asset. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. When assets are sold or retired, the corresponding cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in the period of the sale or retirement.
	Internal Use Software Development Costs
	The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with its internally developed software that are incurred subsequent to the preliminary project stage. Specifically, the Company capitalizes the payroll and payroll-related costs of employees who are directly involved with and who devote time to the Company’s software development project and other applicable third-party costs, and amortizes these costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software of three years. Amortization begins when the internal-use software is ready for its intended use.
	Internal use software development costs of $1.3 million have been capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2013. The capitalized amounts were included as part of construction in progress on the consolidated balance sheets in Property and equipment. Because the Company believes that the project is not substantially complete and ready for its intended use, no amortization expense has been recorded to date.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from government agencies, not-for-profit providers and commercial insurance companies. An estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to the extent it is probable that a portion or all of a particular account will not be collected. In evaluating the collectibility of accounts receivable, the Company considers a number of factors, including payment trends in individual states, age of the accounts and the status of ongoing disputes with third party payors. Complex rules and regulations regarding billing and timely filing requirements in various states are also a factor in our assessment of the collectibility of accounts receivable. Actual collections of accounts receivable in subsequent periods may require changes in the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes in these estimates are charged or credited to revenue as a contractual allowance in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of the change in estimate.
	Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
	The Company reviews costs of purchased businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill), and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, unless significant changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment may have occurred sooner. The Company conducts its annual impairment test for both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on July 1 of each year.
	The Company is required to test goodwill on a reporting unit basis, of which there are two for each of the Company’s operating segments. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The Company has elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceed directly to the two-step impairment test. The first step is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value then the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill in order to determine the amount of impairment to be recognized. The excess of the carrying value of goodwill above the implied goodwill, if any, would be recognized as an impairment charge. Fair values are established using discounted cash flow and comparative market multiple methods.
	For its indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The Company has elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets requires the determination of the fair value of the intangible asset. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. Fair values are established using the Relief from Royalty method.
	The fair value of a reporting unit is based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period. As such, actual results may differ from these estimates and lead to a revaluation of the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. If updated estimates indicate that the fair value of goodwill or any indefinite-life intangibles is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of the change in estimate.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable based on the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is determined not to be recoverable, a write-down to fair value is recorded.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are separated into current and long-term amounts based on the classification of the related assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and netted by jurisdiction. Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets are estimated based on the Company’s assessment of its ability to realize such amounts.
	The Company also recognizes the benefits of tax positions when certain criteria are satisfied. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company reports derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current operations or in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) depending upon whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction.
	The Company, from time to time, enters into interest rate swap agreements to hedge against variability in cash flows resulting from fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate, which is LIBOR, on the Company’s debt. These agreements involve the exchange of variable interest rates for fixed interest rates over the life of the swap agreement without an exchange of the notional amount upon which the payments are based. On a quarterly basis, the differential to be received or paid as interest rates change is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In addition, on a quarterly basis the mark to market valuation is recorded as an adjustment to gain (loss) on derivative instrument within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The related amount receivable from or payable to counterparties is included as an asset or liability, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	The Company’s investments in related party marketable debt securities have been classified as available-for-sale securities and, accordingly, are valued at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses arising from such valuation are reported within the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
	Stock-Based Compensation
	NMH Investment, LLC (“NMH Investment”), the Company’s indirect parent, adopted an equity-based compensation plan in 2006, and from time to time it has issued units of limited liability company interests pursuant to such plan, consisting of Class B Units, Class C Units, Class D Units, Class E Units, Class F Units, Class G Units and Class H Units. The units are limited liability company interests and are available for issuance to the Company’s employees and members of the Board of Directors for incentive purposes. For purposes of determining the compensation expense associated with these grants, management values the business enterprise using a variety of widely accepted valuation techniques which considered a number of factors such as the Company’s financial performance, the values of comparable companies and the lack of marketability of the Company’s equity. The Company then uses the option pricing method to determine the fair value of these units at the time of grant using valuation assumptions consisting of the expected term in which the units will be realized; a risk-free interest rate equal to the U.S. federal treasury bond rate consistent with the term assumption; expected dividend yield, for which there is none; and expected volatility based on the historical data of equity instruments of comparable companies. For Class B Units, Class C Units, Class D Units, Class E Units and Class F Units, the estimated fair value of the units, less an assumed forfeiture rate, is recognized in expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards. The Class G Units and Class H Units vest upon a liquidity event and/or upon the occurrence of certain investment return conditions, for which the compensation expense will then be recognized in its entirety when probable.
	Accruals for Self-Insurance
	The Company maintains professional and general liability, workers’ compensation, automobile liability and health insurance with policies that include self-insured retentions. It is fully self-insured for employment practices liability claims. The Company records expenses related to claims on an incurred basis, which includes estimates of fully developed losses for both reported and unreported claims. The accruals for the health and workers’ compensation, automobile, employment practices and professional and general liability programs are based on analyses performed internally by management and may take into account reports by independent third parties. Accruals relating to prior periods are periodically re-evaluated and increased or decreased based on new information.
	Self-Insurance Gross versus Net Presentation
	The Company reports its insurance liabilities on a gross basis without giving effect to insurance recoveries. Anticipated insurance recoveries are presented in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Self-insured liabilities are presented in Accrued payroll and related costs, Other accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	Legal Contingencies
	The Company is regularly involved in litigation and regulatory proceedings in the operation of its business. For claims that are not accounted for in its self-insurance reserves, the Company reserves for costs when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. While the Company believes its provision for legal contingencies is adequate, the outcome of its legal proceedings is difficult to predict and it may settle legal claims or be subject to judgments for amounts that differ from its estimates. In addition, legal contingencies could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations in any given future reporting period.
	Discontinued Operations
	The Company analyzes its operations that have been divested or classified as held-for-sale to determine if they qualify for discontinued operations accounting. Only operations that qualify as a component of an entity, as defined by the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), can be classified as a discontinued operation. In addition, only components where the cash flows of the component have been or will be eliminated from ongoing operations by the end of the assessment period and where the Company does not have significant continuing involvement with the divested operations would qualify for discontinued operations accounting.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Presentation of Comprehensive Income — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. The final standard requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and was applied retrospectively. Additionally, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”) in February 2013. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by the net income line item. ASU 2013-02 was effective for the Company beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2013-02 impacted the presentation of other comprehensive loss as the Company previously presented the components of other comprehensive loss as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity (deficit).
	Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. Additionally, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the impairment test, and perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. ASU 2011-08 was effective for the Company in fiscal 2013. The adoption of this provision did not impact the consolidated financial statements as the Company has elected to proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test.
	Intangibles-Goodwill and Other — In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 amends the guidance in ASC 350, to provide an option to first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount before applying the quantitative impairment test. An entity is required to perform the quantitative test only if it determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinitely-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 was effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption being permitted. The adoption of this provision did not impact the consolidated financial statements as the Company has elected to proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test.
	Technical Corrections and Improvements — In October 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-04, Technical Corrections and Improvements (“ASU 2012-04”). The amendments in this update cover a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification. These amendments include technical corrections and improvements to the Accounting Standards Codification and conforming amendments related to fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2012-04 will not have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	4. Business Combinations
	The operating results of the businesses acquired are included in the consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. The Company accounted for the acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting and, as a result, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net tangible assets was allocated to specifically identified intangible assets, with the residual being allocated to goodwill.
	Fiscal 2013 Acquisitions
	During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company acquired three companies complementary to its business for total fair value consideration of $9.3 million.
	Beyond Abilities. On September 20, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Beyond Abilities for $4.4 million. Beyond Abilities is located in Wisconsin and provides residential and support services to individuals with cognitive disabilities and challenging behaviors. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded $1.3 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.1 million of tangible assets and $3.0 million of intangible assets, which included $1.5 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of twelve years, $0.9 million of non-compete/non-solicit agreement with a useful life of 5 years, and $0.6 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of 10 years.
	Community Links. On August 30, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Community Links for $4.4 million. Community Links is located in Michigan and provides comprehensive supportive services to adults with traumatic brain injury. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded $1.3 million of goodwill in the Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $3.1 million of intangible assets which primarily included $3.0 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of twelve years. The remaining purchase price was allocated to tangible assets.
	Carolina Autism. On November 1, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of Carolina Autism for $0.5 million. Carolina Autism is located in South Carolina and provides group home services, behavioral services and related services primarily to individuals diagnosed with autism and pervasive development disorders. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded $14 thousand of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.4 million of intangible assets which included $0.2 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of 10 years, $0.1 million of non-complete/non-solicit agreement with a useful life of five years and $0.1 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of 12 years. The remaining purchase price was allocated to tangible assets.
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Beyond		Community			Carolina		TOTAL
		Abilities		Links			Autism
	Identifiable intangible assets	$	2,984	$	3,078		$	420	$	6,482
	Other assets, current and long term		—		16			2		18
	Property and equipment		136		46			39		221
	Total identifiable net assets	$	3,120	$	3,140		$	461	$	6,721
	Goodwill	$	1,280	$	1,260		$	14	$	2,554
	Fiscal 2012 Acquisitions
	During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company acquired seven companies complementary to its business for total fair value consideration of $16.5 million.
	Families Together. On November 30, 2011, the Company acquired the assets of Families Together, Inc. (“Families Together”) for $3.0 million. Families Together is located in North Carolina and provides intensive in-home services, day treatment, case management, outpatient therapy and similar periodic services to children and their families. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded $0.9 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $2.1 million of intangible assets which included $1.0 million of non-compete agreement with a useful life of five years, $0.8 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years, and $0.3 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years.
	SCVP. On March 26, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of SCVP, Inc. (“SCVP”) for $0.4 million. SCVP is located in Oregon and provides day program services and related services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The Company acquired $0.3 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of ten years and $0.1 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Copper Family Community Care. On April 5, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of Copper Family Community Care, Inc. (“Copper Family”) for $2.6 million. Copper Family is located in Wisconsin and provides group home services and related services to individuals with developmental disabilities. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $0.7 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.1 million of tangible assets and $1.8 million of intangible assets, which included $1.4 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years and $0.4 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years.
	Alpha Group Administrators. On August 31, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of Alpha Group Administrators, Inc. (“Alpha Group”) for $2.3 million. Alpha Group is located in Arizona and provides specialized care through group home services and day treatment services for clients with complex behavioral challenges, as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $0.1 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.3 million of tangible assets and $1.9 million of intangible assets, which included $1.6 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of twelve years and $0.3 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years.
	Radical Rehab Solutions. On August 31, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of Radical Rehab Solutions, LLC (“Radical Rehab”) for $8.0 million. Radical Rehab is located in Kentucky and provides community-based, post-acute rehabilitation programs for clients with acquired brain injury. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $1.6 million of goodwill in the Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.1 million of tangible assets and $6.3 million of intangible assets which included $5.4 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of twelve years, $0.7 million of licenses and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years, and $0.2 million of non-compete/non-solicit with a weighted average useful life of five years.
	Other Acquisitions. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2012, the Company acquired selected assets of Zumbro House, Inc., which provides group home services to individuals with developmental disabilities in the Mankato, Minnesota area and Georgia Rehabilitation Institute d/b/a Walton Rehabilitation Health System, a provider of acquired brain injury services in Georgia, for total cash of $0.2 million, $0.1 million of which was allocated to intangible assets.
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Families		SCVP			Copper		Alpha		Radical			Other		TOTAL
		Together					Family		Group		Rehab			Acquisitions
	Identifiable intangible assets	$	2,102	$	291		$	1,836	$	1,927	$	6,340		$	89	$	12,585
	Other assets, current and long term		—		—			—		—		41			—		41
	Property and equipment		6		5			116		288		62			20		497
	Total identifiable net assets	$	2,108	$	296		$	1,952	$	2,215	$	6,443		$	109	$	13,123
	Goodwill	$	892	$	154		$	687	$	85	$	1,557		$	46	$	3,421
	Fiscal 2011 Acquisitions
	During fiscal 2011, the Company acquired seven companies complementary to its business for total fair value consideration of $12.6 million.
	New Start Homes. On October 1, 2010, the Company acquired the assets of New Start Homes, Inc. (“New Start Homes”) for total fair value consideration of $0.7 million. New Start Homes is a health facility located in California that provides congregate living inpatient services to mentally alert individuals who have spinal cord injuries, neurological illnesses or injuries or similar conditions and may be ventilator dependent. As a result of the New Start Homes acquisition, the Company recorded $0.2 million of goodwill in the Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.5 million of intangible assets which included $0.3 million in agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years and $0.2 million in license and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years.
	ViaQuest Behavorial Health. On October 26, 2010, the Company acquired the assets of ViaQuest Behavorial Health of Pennsylvania, LLC (“ViaQuest”) for total cash of $1.1 million. ViaQuest provides residential and periodic services to individuals with behavioral health issues. As a result of the ViaQuest acquisition, the Company initially recorded $0.4 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $0.6 million of intangibles assets which primarily included $0.5 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years. The remaining purchase price was allocated to tangible assets. During fiscal 2011, the Company wrote off $0.2 million of goodwill and $0.2 million of intangible assets related to underperforming programs within the Viaquest operations.
	Phoenix Homes. On December 31, 2010, the Company acquired the assets of Phoenix Homes, Inc. (“Phoenix Homes”) for total cash of $1.1 million. Phoenix Homes is a licensed child-placing agency that provides community-based, family focused therapeutic foster care to families and children in crisis or at risk in Maryland and Rhode Island. As a result of this acquisition, the Company initially recorded $0.1 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $1.0 million of intangibles assets which primarily included $0.7 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years. During fiscal 2012, the Company wrote off $0.1 million of goodwill and $0.9 million of intangible assets related to underperforming programs within the Phoenix Homes operations.
	Inclusive Solutions. On June 1, 2011, the Company acquired the assets of MEIS, LLC and New Life Enterprises N.W. Ohio, Inc., d/b/a Inclusive Solutions (“Inclusive Solutions”) for total cash of $2.0 million. Inclusive Solutions operates in Ohio and provides community based services to individuals with developmental disabilities. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded $0.6 million of goodwill in the Human Services segment, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The acquired intangible assets included $0.5 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years and $0.4 million of license and permits with a weighted average useful life of ten years. The remaining purchase price was allocated to tangible assets.
	Communicare. On June 23, 2011, the Company acquired the assets of Communicare, LLC (“Communicare”) for total fair value consideration of $8.1 million, which initially included $0.8 million of accrued contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration on the date of acquisition was $0.8 million and was subsequently reduced to zero at September 30, 2011. The subsequent adjustment was recognized as an increase to earnings and included in General and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. As of June 23, 2012, the termination date of the contingency payout, the purchased entity did not meet certain earnings targets and therefore no additional earn out payment was made related to the $0.8 million accrued contingency consideration.
	Communicare provides health, rehabilitation and residential services in the state of Florida to individuals with brain injuries, neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injuries, pulmonary disorders, congenital anomalies, developmental disabilities and similar conditions. The Company recorded $3.8 million of goodwill in the Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services segment as a result of the Communicare acquisition, which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company acquired $4.2 million of intangible assets which primarily included $2.0 million of agency contracts with a weighted average useful life of eleven years and $1.6 million of non-compete with an estimated useful life of five years. The remaining purchase price was allocated to tangible assets and liabilities.
	Other Acquisitions. During fiscal 2011, the Company acquired the assets of SunnySide Homes of Redwood Falls, Inc., which consists of two group homes and TheraCare of New Jersey, Inc., a provider of behavioral health services for total cash of $0.3 million and $0.2 million of which was allocated to intangible assets.
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	New Start		ViaQuest			Phoenix		Inclusive		Communicare			Other		TOTAL
		Homes							Solutions					Acquisitions
	Accounts receivable	$	—	$	191		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	191
	Other assets, current and long term		—		—			4		—		—			—		4
	Identifiable intangible assets		450		641			951		984		4,238			317		7,581
	Property and equipment		3		—			—		413		91			—		507
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		—		(116	)		—		—		(800	)		—		(916	)
	Total identifiable net assets	$	453	$	716		$	955	$	1,397	$	3,529		$	317	$	7,367
	Goodwill	$	197	$	384		$	120	$	603	$	3,795		$	122	$	5,221
	Pro forma Results of Operations
	The unaudited pro forma results of operations provided below for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 are presented as though acquisitions made during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma information presented below does not intend to indicate what the Company’s results of operations would have been if the acquisitions had in fact occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented nor does it intend to be a projection of the impact on future results or trends. The Company has determined that the presentation of the results of operations for each of these acquisitions, from the date of acquisition, is impracticable due to the integration of the operations upon acquisition.
	(in thousands)	Year Ended		Year Ended			Year Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012			2011
	Net revenue	$	1,208,808	$	1,144,739		$	1,075,251
	Income from operations		55,591		51,106			36,794

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	5. Discontinued Operations
	FAS Virginia
	During fiscal 2013, the Company closed certain Human Services operations in the state of Virginia, Family Advocacy Services, LLC (“FAS Virginia”) and recorded a pre-tax loss of $3.6 million for fiscal 2013. FAS Virginia was included in the Human Services segment and the results of the operations are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and the prior periods have been reclassified. Loss from discontinued operations for FAS Virginia for fiscal 2013 included a $3.4 million write-off of intangible assets.
	Mentor Rhode Island
	During fiscal 2013, the Company adopted a plan to sell its Human Services operations in the state of Rhode Island (“Mentor Rhode Island”). The Company completed the sale in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and recorded a pre-tax loss of $0.8 million for fiscal 2013. The operations of Mentor Rhode Island are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and the prior periods have been reclassified. Loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2013 included a $0.7 million impairment charge related to the write-off of intangible assets.
	RCDS
	During fiscal 2011, the Company closed its business operations in the state of New York, Rockland Child Development Services, Inc. (“RCDS”) and recognized a pre-tax loss of $8.0 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011. RCDS was acquired in December 2006 and, as a result of this closure, the Company no longer provides services in New York. RCDS was included in the Human Services segment and the results of operations are reported separately as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and the prior periods have been reclassified. Loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2011 included a $3.1 million write-off of goodwill and a $2.8 million write-off of intangible assets.
	Other
	Also during fiscal 2011, the Company closed its Human Services operations in the states of Nebraska and New Hampshire and recognized a total pre-tax loss of $0.2 million for fiscal 2011. The results of operations are reported separately as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and the prior periods have been reclassified.
	The net revenue and loss before income taxes for the Company’s discontinued operations at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Net revenue	$	2,339		$	6,455		$	14,489
	Loss before income taxes		(4,455	)		(1,147	)		(7,563	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The changes in goodwill for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Human			Post-Acute		Total
		Services			Specialty
					Rehabilitation
					Services
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of September 30, 2011	$	167,877		$	63,138	$	231,015
	Goodwill acquired through acquisitions		1,860			1,561		3,421
	Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses		(75	)		—		(75	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		169,662			64,699		234,361
	Goodwill acquired through acquisitions		1,294			1,260		2,554
	Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses		(1,334	)		—		(1,334	)
	Adjustments to goodwill, net		—			42		42
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	169,622		$	66,001	$	235,623
	During fiscal 2013, the Company wrote off goodwill of underperforming programs within the Human Services segment which were closed as of September 30, 2013. The total charge was $1.3 million and is included in General and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the adjustments to goodwill reflect the final purchase price for acquisitions, as determined during the measurement period.
	Annual Goodwill Impairment Testing
	The Company tests goodwill at least annually for possible impairment. Accordingly, the Company completes the annual testing of impairment for goodwill on July 1 of each fiscal year. In addition to its annual test, the Company regularly evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential impairment of these assets.
	The Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceed directly to the two-step impairment test. The process of testing goodwill for impairment involves the determination of the fair value of the applicable reporting units. The test consists of a two-step process. The first step is the comparison of the fair value to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. The second step measures the amount of an impairment loss, and is only performed if the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company performed its annual impairment testing for its reporting units as of July 1, 2013, its annual impairment date, and concluded based on the first step of the process that there was no goodwill impairment.
	The Company has consistently employed the income approach to estimate the current fair value when testing for impairment of goodwill. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the income approach to forecast operating cash flows, including revenue growth, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate and working capital changes.
	Cash flow forecasts are based on business unit operating plans and historical relationships. The income approach is sensitive to changes in long-term terminal growth rates and the discount rate. The long-term terminal growth rates are consistent with the Company’s historical long-term terminal growth rates, as the current economic trends are not expected to affect the long-term terminal growth rates of the Company. The discount rate was selected based on the estimated rate of return as well as time value of money.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2013:
	Description	Weighted			Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		Average			Carrying		Amortization			Assets, Net
		Remaining Life			Value
	(in thousands)
	Agency contracts		9 years		$	464,480	$	195,737		$	268,743
	Non-compete/non-solicit		3 years			4,929		2,058			2,871
	Relationship with contracted caregivers		3 years			10,963		7,905			3,058
	Trade names		4 years			3,787		2,431			1,356
	Trade names (indefinite life)		—			42,400		—			42,400
	Licenses and permits		4 years			45,760		28,343			17,417
	Intellectual property		3 years			904		558			346
					$	573,223	$	237,032		$	336,191
	Intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2012:
	Description	Weighted			Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		Average			Carrying		Amortization			Assets, Net
		Remaining Life			Value
	(in thousands)
	Agency contracts		10 years		$	467,639	$	167,976		$	299,663
	Non-compete/non-solicit		3 years			3,949		1,301			2,648
	Relationship with contracted caregivers		4 years			11,051		6,831			4,220
	Trade names		5 years			3,774		2,078			1,696
	Trade names (indefinite life)		—			42,400		—			42,400
	Licenses and permits		5 years			45,194		23,911			21,283
	Intellectual property		4 years			904		429			475
					$	574,911	$	202,526		$	372,385
	For fiscal years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, the amortization expense for continuing operations was $38.4 million, $36.5 million and $38.2 million, respectively. The amortization expense for discontinued operations was $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $1.5 million for fiscal years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Annual Indefinite Life Impairment Testing
	The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually for possible impairment. Accordingly, the Company completes the annual testing of impairment for indefinite-lived intangible assets on July 1 of each fiscal year. In addition to its annual test, the Company regularly evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential impairment of these assets.
	The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the non-amortizing intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess is recognized. The Company has consistently employed the relief from royalty model to estimate the current fair value when testing for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets.
	In addition, the Company evaluates the remaining useful life of its indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually to determine whether events or circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. If events or circumstances indicate that the useful lives of indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer indefinite, the assets will be tested for impairment.
	The Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceeded directly to the quantitative impairment test. The Company performed its annual impairment testing as of July 1, 2013, its annual impairment date, and concluded that there is no impairment to its indefinite lived trade names. The fair value of these assets was determined using management’s estimates about future cash flows.
	Long Lived Impairment Testing
	During the assessment of long-lived assets that was performed during fiscal 2013, the Company determined that certain of its intangible assets were impaired related to underperforming programs within the Human Services segment, which consisted primarily of $0.9 million of agency contracts and $0.1 million of licenses and permits. Additionally in fiscal 2011, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain of its agency contracts and licenses and permits in the Human Services and Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services segments exceeded their fair value. The fair value of these assets was determined using management’s estimates about future cash flows, which is a Level 3 financial measurement.
	As a result, the Company recorded $1.0 million and $2.7 million of amortization expense related to the write-off of these intangible assets for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2011, respectively. This charge is included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying statements of operations.
	The estimated remaining amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows:
	Year Ending September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	37,188
	2015		35,385
	2016		33,475
2017		29,284
2018		28,361
Thereafter		130,098
	$	293,791

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	7. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Buildings and land	$	123,046		$	123,478
	Vehicles		45,846			42,020
	Computer hardware		29,661			25,233
	Leasehold improvements		38,755			29,269
	Furniture and fixtures		12,931			10,244
	Office and telecommunication equipment		8,115			8,012
	Construction in progress		2,246			1,539
			260,600			239,795
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(106,965	)		(88,247	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	153,635		$	151,548
	For fiscal years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, depreciation expense for continuing operations was $25.7 million, $24.1 million and $23.1 million, respectively, and depreciation expense for discontinued operations was $20 thousand, $47 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively.

Certain_Balance_Sheet_Accounts

Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	'
	8. Certain Balance Sheet Accounts
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following at September 30:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Prepaid business expense	$	2,906	$	4,005
	Prepaid insurance		1,309		1,631
	Anticipated insurance recoveries		9,966		11,267
	Other		3,590		3,201
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	17,771	$	20,104
	Other Accrued Liabilities
	Other accrued liabilities consist of the following at September 30:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Accrued insurance	$	18,756	$	19,930
	Accrued swap valuation liability		3,165		5,638
	Due to third party payors		3,569		5,444
	Other		19,576		19,372
	Other accrued liabilities	$	45,066	$	50,384

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	9. Long-term Debt
	The Company’s long-term debt consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Term loan (including the Incremental Term Loan), principal and interest due in quarterly installments through February 9, 2017	$	546,525		$	522,050
	Original issue discount on term loan, net of accumulated amortization		(4,403	)		(5,737	)
	Senior notes, due February 15, 2018; semi-annual cash interest payments due each February 15th and August 15th (interest rate of 12.50%)		250,000			250,000
	Original issue discount and initial purchase discount on senior notes, net of accumulated amortization		(7,003	)		(8,615	)
	Senior revolver, due February 9, 2016; quarterly cash interest payments at a variable interest rate		—			19,000
			785,119			776,698
	Less current portion		5,600			24,300
	Long-term debt	$	779,519		$	752,398
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities
	On February 9, 2011, the Company completed the February 2011 Refinancing, which included entering into a senior credit agreement (as amended, the “senior credit agreement”) for senior secured credit facilities, consisting of a (i) six-year $530.0 million term loan facility, of which $50.0 million was deposited in a cash collateral account in support of issuance of letters of credit under an institutional letter of credit facility (the “institutional letter of credit facility”) and a (ii) $75.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility. The $530.0 million term loan was issued at a price equal to 98.5% of its face value and amortizes one percent per year, paid quarterly, with the remaining balance payable at maturity. The Company refers to these facilities, as amended on October 15, 2012, as the “senior secured credit facilities”.
	On October 15, 2012, the Company entered into an Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”), to amend and restate the senior credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facilities. The Amendment Agreement converted the existing term loan facility into a tranche B-1 term loan facility in aggregate principal amount of $522.1 million (the “term loan”). The proceeds were used to prepay the existing term loan facility. Total fees incurred related to the Amendment Agreement were $1.7 million of which a majority of the amount is being amortized over the life of the term loan. The Amendment Agreement also replaced the Company’s existing $75 million revolving credit facility and the borrowings thereunder with a new $75 million revolving credit facility (the “senior revolver”). The interest rates under the senior secured credit facilities were unchanged by the Amendment Agreement, except that the LIBOR floor applicable to borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities was reduced by 0.50%.
	The interest rate on borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities is equal to (i) a rate equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar rate for an interest period of one-month beginning on such day plus 100 basis points (subject to an ABR floor of 2.25% per annum), plus 4.25%; or (ii) the Eurodollar rate (subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.25% per annum), plus 5.25%, at the Company’s option.
	Term loan
	The original term loan was issued at a price equal to 98.5% of its face value. The senior credit agreement also includes an annual provision for the prepayment of a portion of the outstanding term loan amounts beginning in fiscal 2011 equal to an amount ranging from 0 to 50% of a calculated amount, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, if the Company generates certain levels of cash flow. The Company has not been required to make such a prepayment of its term loan as of September 30, 2013. The Company is required to repay the term loan in quarterly principal installments of 0.25% of the original principal amount, with the balance payable at maturity.
	On February 4, 2013, the Company entered into an Incremental Amendment No. 1 (the “Incremental Amendment No. 1”) to the Amendment Agreement. The Incremental Amendment No. 1 provided for an additional $30.0 million term loan (the “incremental term loan”) under the Company’s existing term loan. The net proceeds of the incremental term loan were used to repay $29.8 million of outstanding borrowings under the senior revolver. Total fees incurred related to the Incremental Amendment No.1 were $0.4 million which are being amortized over the remaining period of the term loan. The Company is required to repay the incremental term loan in quarterly principal installments of 0.25% of the principal amount, with the balance payable at maturity of the term loan. All of the other terms of the incremental term loan are identical to the term loan.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had $546.5 million of borrowings under the term loan (including the incremental term loan). At September 30, 2013, the variable interest rate on the term loan was 6.5%.
	Senior revolver
	During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company drew $469.4 million under the senior revolver and repaid $488.4 million during the period (including borrowings and repayments prior to the Amendment Agreement). At September 30, 2013, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the senior revolver and $75.0 million of availability under the senior revolver. The Company had $42.2 million of standby letters of credit issued under the institutional letter of credit facility primarily related to the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Letters of credit can be issued under the Company’s institutional letter of credit facility up to the $50.0 million limit and letters of credit in excess of that amount reduce availability under the Company’s senior revolver. The interest rate for borrowings under the senior revolver was 7.5% as of September 30, 2013.
	The senior revolver includes borrowing capacity available for borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as the “swingline loans.” Any swingline loans or other borrowings under the senior revolver, would have maturities less than one year, and would be reflected under Current portion of long-term debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	Senior Notes
	In connection with the February 2011 Refinancing, the Company issued $250.0 million of 12.5% senior notes due 2018 (the “senior notes”) at a price equal to 97.7% of their face value, for net proceeds of $244.3 million. The net proceeds were reduced by an initial purchasers’ discount of $5.6 million. The senior notes are the Company’s unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing subsidiaries.
	Covenants
	The senior credit agreement and the indenture governing the senior notes contain negative financial and non-financial covenants, including, among other things, limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, transfer or sell assets, pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or investments, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. In addition, the senior credit agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facilities contains financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a specified consolidated leverage ratio and consolidated interest coverage ratio.
	The Company is restricted from paying dividends to NMH Holdings, LLC (“Parent”) in excess of $15.0 million, except for dividends used for the repurchase of equity from former officers and employees and for the payment of management fees, taxes, and certain other exceptions.
	Derivatives
	The Company entered into an interest rate swap in a notional amount of $400.0 million effective March 31, 2011, maturing on September 30, 2014. The Company entered into this interest rate swap to hedge the risk of changes in the floating rate of interest on borrowings under the term loan. Under the terms of the swap, the Company received from the counterparty a quarterly payment based on a rate equal to the greater of 3-month LIBOR and 1.75% per annum, and the Company made payments to the counterparty based on a fixed rate of 2.55% per annum, in each case on the notional amount of $400.0 million, settled on a net payment basis.
	On October 15, 2012, the Company amended the terms of its interest rate swap agreement in connection with the amendment and restatement of the terms of the senior secured credit facilities. The notional amount of the interest rate swap of $400.0 million and maturity date of September 30, 2014 remained unchanged. Under the new terms of the interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a quarterly payment based on a rate equal to the greater of 3-month LIBOR and 1.25% per annum, and the Company makes payments to the counterparty based on a fixed rate of 2.08% per annum, in each case on the notional amount of $400.0 million, settled on a net payment basis. Based on the applicable margin of 5.25% under the Company’s term loan, this swap effectively fixed the Company’s cost of borrowing for $400.0 million of the term loan at 7.3% per annum for the term of the swap. As a result of the modification of the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, the fair value of the interest rate swap was increased by $68 thousand and the increase in fair value is being amortized into Other income (expense) over the remaining term of the interest rate swap agreement.
	The Company accounts for the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge and the effectiveness of the hedge relationship is assessed on a quarterly basis. The fair value of the swap agreement, representing the price that would be paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants, was $3.2 million, or $1.9 million after taxes, at September 30, 2013. The fair value was recorded in current liabilities (under Other accrued liabilities) and was determined based on pricing models and independent formulas using current assumptions. The change in fair market value is recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
	Annual maturities
	Annual maturities of the Company’s debt for the years ended September 30 are as follows.
	Amounts due at any year end may increase as a result of the provision in the senior credit agreement that requires a prepayment of a portion of the outstanding term loan amounts if the Company generates certain levels of cash flow.
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	5,600
	2015		5,600
	2016		5,600
	2017		529,725
	2018		250,000
	Thereafter		—
	Total	$	796,525

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholder's Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholder's Equity	'
	10. Shareholder’s Equity
	Common Stock
	The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are held by Parent.
	Dividends to Parent
	During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, our indirect parent NMH Investment repurchased equity units from employees upon or after their departures from the Company of $39 thousand, $75 thousand and $1.5 million, respectively. The Company accounted for these repurchases as dividends of $39 thousand, $75 thousand and $1.5 million, respectively, to its indirect parent NMH Investment to fund these repurchases.
	Also, on February 9, 2011, as part of the February 2011 Refinancing described in note 9, the Company declared a dividend of $219.7 million to Parent, which in turn made a distribution of $219.7 million to its direct parent, NMH Holdings, Inc. (“NMH Holdings”). NMH Holdings used the proceeds of the distribution to (i) repurchase $210.9 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Floating Rate Toggle Notes due 2014 (the “NMH Holdings notes”) at a premium (ii) repurchase an additional $13.3 million principal amount of NMH Holdings notes the Company held as an investment and (iii) pay related fees and expenses.

Employee_Savings_and_Retiremen

Employee Savings and Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Savings and Retirement Plans	'
	11. Employee Savings and Retirement Plans
	The Company has a multi-company plan (the “Plan”) which covers all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Under the Plan, employees may contribute a portion of their earnings, which are invested in mutual funds of their choice. After January 1, the Company makes a matching contribution for the previous calendar year on behalf of all participants employed on the last day of the year. This matching contribution vests immediately. In addition, there is a profit sharing feature of the Plan, whereby, at the discretion of management, an allocation may be made to all of the eligible employees in one or more of its business units. Profit sharing contributions vest ratably over three years with forfeitures available to cover plan costs and employer matches in future years. The Company made contributions of $4.0 million, $4.2 million and $3.7 million, for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The Company has the following two deferred compensation plans:
	The National Mentor Holdings, LLC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
	The National Mentor Holdings, LLC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement for senior management, in which the Company contributes to the executive’s account a percentage of the executive’s base compensation. This contribution is made at the end of the year for service rendered during the year. The Company contributed $0.4 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The unfunded accrued liability was $2.6 million and $2.2 million as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	The National Mentor Holdings, LLC Executive Deferral Plan
	The National Mentor Holdings, LLC Executive Deferral Plan, available to highly compensated employees, is a plan in which participants contribute a percentage of salary and/or bonus earned during the year. Employees contributed $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $1.0 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The accrued liability related to this plan was $6.7 million and $5.0 million as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	In connection with the National Mentor Holdings, LLC Executive Deferral Plan, the Company has purchased Company Owned Life Insurance (“COLI”) policies on certain plan participants. The cash surrender value of the COLI policies is designed to provide a source for funding the accrued liability. The cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $5.5 million and $4.0 million as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	12. Related Party Transactions
	Management Agreements
	On February 9, 2011, the Company entered into an amended and restated management agreement with Vestar Capital Partners V, L.P. (“Vestar”) relating to certain advisory and consulting services for an annual management fee equal to the greater of (i) $850 thousand or (ii) an amount equal to 1.0% of the Company’s consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and management fee for each fiscal year determined as set forth in the Company’s senior credit agreement.
	As part of the management agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify Vestar and its affiliates from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the performance by Vestar of its services pursuant to the management agreement. The management agreement will terminate upon such time that Vestar and its partners and their respective affiliates hold, directly or indirectly in the aggregate, less than 20% of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.
	This agreement provides for the payment of reasonable and customary fees to Vestar for services in connection with a sale of the Company, an initial public offering by or involving NMH Investment, LLC (“NMH Investment”) or any of its subsidiaries or any extraordinary acquisition by or involving NMH Investment or any of its subsidiaries; provided, that such fees shall only be paid with the consent of the directors of the Company who are not affiliated with or employed by Vestar. The Company recorded $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million of management fees and expenses for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The accrued liability related to the management agreement was $0.5 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
	Consulting Agreements
	During fiscal 2011, the Company engaged Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group (“Alvarez & Marsal”) to provide certain transaction advisory and other services. A director of the Company, Guy Sansone, is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal and the head of its Healthcare Industry Group. The engagement resulted in aggregate fees of $1.0 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, and was approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. Mr. Sansone is not a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and was not personally involved in the engagement.
	The Company engaged Duff & Phelps, LLC as a financial advisor in connection with the refinancing transactions in 2011, including the repurchase of the Senior Floating Rate Toggle Notes due in 2014 issued by NMH Holdings (“NMH Holdings notes”), and related matters. According to public filings, at the time of this transaction Vestar owned 12.4% of the Class A common stock of Duff & Phelps Corporation, the parent company of Duff & Phelps, LLC, and one of Vestar’s principals served on the Board of Directors of Duff & Phelps Corporation but was not personally involved in the engagement. The engagement resulted in fees of approximately $0.2 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, with the Vestar members abstaining from voting.
	Lease Agreements
	The Company leases several offices, homes and other facilities from its employees, or from relatives of employees, primarily in the states of Minnesota, Florida, and California. These leases have various expiration dates extending out as far as March 2018. Related party lease expense was $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $3.7 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Investment in Related Party Debt Securities
	In connection with the refinancing transactions on February 9, 2011, NMH Holdings repurchased the NMH Holdings notes (which the Company purchased at a discount) from the Company at a premium. As a result, the Company recorded a gain of $3.0 million which was recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as Gain from available for sale investment security.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	13. Fair Value Measurements
	The Company measures and reports its financial assets and liabilities on the basis of fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
	A three-level hierarchy for disclosure has been established to show the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value measurements, as follows:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Significant other observable inputs (quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability).
	Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These values are generally determined using pricing models which utilize management estimates of market participant assumptions.
	Valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured using Level 3 inputs may include methodologies such as the market approach, the income approach or the cost approach, and may use unobservable inputs such as projections, estimates and management’s interpretation of current market data. These unobservable inputs are only utilized to the extent that observable inputs are not available or cost-effective to obtain.
	A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 consist of:
	(in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant Other			Significant
					Market Prices		Observable			Unobservable
					(Level 1)		Inputs			Inputs
							(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(3,165	)	$	—	$	(3,165	)	$	—
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value at September 30, 2012 consist of:
	(in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant Other			Significant
					Market Prices		Observable			Unobservable
					(Level 1)		Inputs			Inputs
							(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(5,638	)	$	—	$	(5,638	)	$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements. The fair value of the swap agreements was recorded in current liabilities (under Other accrued liabilities) in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these agreements was determined based on pricing models and independent formulas using current assumptions that included swap terms, interest rates and forward LIBOR curves and the Company’s credit risk.
	At September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and variable rate debt approximated fair value. The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt instruments are set forth below:
		September 30, 2013					September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)	Carrying			Fair		Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value		Amount			Value
	Senior notes (issued February 9, 2011)	$	242,997		$	268,750	$	241,385		$	251,785
	The fair values were estimated using calculations based on quoted market prices when available and company – specific credit risk. If the Company’s long-term debt was measured at fair value, it would have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	14. Leases
	Operating leases
	The Company leases office and client residential facilities, vehicles and certain office equipment in several locations under operating lease arrangements, which expire at various dates through 2027. In addition to base rents presented below, the majority of the leases require payments for additional expenses such as taxes, maintenance and utilities. Certain of the leases contain renewal options at the Company’s option and some have escalation clauses which are recognized as rent expense on a straight line basis. Total rent expense for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $54.3 million, $49.0 million and $47.7 million, respectively.
	During fiscal 2012, the Company completed two sale-leaseback transactions under which it sold two properties to unrelated third parties. Net proceeds from these sales were $2.8 million. Concurrent with these sales, the Company entered into agreements to lease the properties back from the purchasers over an initial lease term of seven and ten years, respectively, each with two, five-year renewal options. The Company classified these leases as operating leases, actively uses or plans to actively use the leased properties and considers the lease as normal leaseback for accounting purposes. The Company deferred a $0.1 million gain on these transactions which includes both a current and non-current portion, with the current portion based on the amount that is expected to amortize over the next 12 months. The current and non-current portions are included in Accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
	In fiscal 1995, the Company entered into an initial five year operating lease agreement for its corporate office with a total expected minimum lease commitment of $2.4 million. The lease has been extended and amended through eleven amendments, and as of September 30, 2013, the Company had total expected minimum lease commitments of $5.8 million over the lease term. The lease expires in 2017 and the Company has the option to extend the lease term. Total rent expense related to this lease was $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.5 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Future minimum lease payments for noncancellable operating leases for the fiscal years ending September 30, are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	47,261
	2015		38,046
	2016		29,847
	2017		24,335
	2018		16,599
	Thereafter		42,062
		$	198,150
	Capital leases
	The Company leases certain facilities under various non-cancellable capital leases that expire at various dates through fiscal 2025. Assets acquired under capital leases with an original cost of $7.8 million and $9.5 million and related accumulated amortization of $1.6 million and $1.3 million are included in property and equipment, net for fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
	Additionally during fiscal 2013, the Company retired two of its capital leases. The assets had a total net carrying value of $1.3 million and a related capital lease obligation of $1.5 million. As a result of the retirement of these assets, a $0.2 million gain was recorded in Other income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments under the capital leases at September 30:
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	430
	2015		451
	2016		497
	2017		549
	2018		608
	Thereafter		4,404
	Total minimum lease payments	$	6,939
	Interest expense on capital leases during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Accruals_for_SelfInsurance_and

Accruals for Self-Insurance and Other Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Accruals for Self-Insurance and Other Commitments and Contingencies	'
	15. Accruals for Self-Insurance and Other Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company maintains insurance for professional and general liability, workers’ compensation liability, automobile liability and health insurance liabilities that includes self-insured retentions. The Company intends to maintain such coverage in the future and is of the opinion that its insurance coverage is adequate to cover potential losses on asserted claims. Employment practices liability is fully self-insured.
	The Company records expenses related to claims on an incurred basis, which includes estimates of fully developed losses for both reported and unreported claims. The accruals for the health, workers’ compensation, automobile, and professional and general liability programs are based on analyses performed by management and take into account reports by independent third parties. Accruals are periodically reevaluated and increased or decreased based on new information.
	For professional and general liability, from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011, the Company was self-insured for $2.0 million per claim and $8.0 million in the aggregate, and for $500 thousand per claim in excess of the aggregate. From October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013, the Company was self-insured for the first $4.0 million of each and every claim with no aggregate limit. Commencing October 1, 2013, the Company is self-insured for $4.0 million per claim and $28.0 million in the aggregate. In connection with the acquisition by Vestar on June 29, 2006 (the “Merger”), the Company purchased additional insurance for certain claims relating to pre-Merger periods subject to $1.0 million per claim and up to $2.0 million in aggregate retentions.
	For workers’ compensation, the Company has a $350 thousand per claim retention with statutory limits. Automobile liability has a $100 thousand per claim retention, with additional insurance coverage above the retention. The Company purchases specific stop loss insurance as protection against extraordinary claims liability for health insurance claims. Stop loss insurance covers claims that exceed $300 thousand on a per member basis.
	The Company reports its self-insurance liabilities on a gross basis without giving effect to insurance recoveries. Anticipated insurance recoveries are presented in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Self-insured liabilities are presented in Accrued payroll and related costs, Other accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets.

Other_Commitments_and_Continge

Other Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Commitments and Contingencies	'
	16. Other Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is in the health and human services business and, therefore, has been and continues to be subject to substantial claims alleging that the Company, its employees or its independently contracted host-home caregivers (“Mentors”) failed to provide proper care for a client. The Company is also subject to claims by its clients, its employees, its Mentors or community members against the Company for negligence, intentional misconduct or violation of applicable laws. Included in the Company’s recent claims are claims alleging personal injury, assault, abuse, wrongful death and other charges. Regulatory agencies may initiate administrative proceedings alleging that the Company’s programs, employees or agents violate statutes and regulations and seek to impose monetary penalties on the Company. The Company could be required to incur significant costs to respond to regulatory investigations or defend against civil lawsuits and, if the Company does not prevail, the Company could be required to pay substantial amounts of money in damages, settlement amounts or penalties arising from these legal proceedings.
	The Company is also subject to potential lawsuits under the False Claims Act and other federal and state whistleblower statutes designed to combat fraud and abuse in the health care industry. These lawsuits can involve significant monetary awards that may incentivize private plaintiffs to bring these suits. If the Company is found to have violated the False Claims Act, it could be excluded from participation in Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides a mandate for more vigorous and widespread enforcement activity to combat fraud and abuse in the health care industry.
	Finally, the Company is also subject to employee-related claims under state and federal law, including claims for discrimination, wrongful discharge or retaliation; claims for wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act or state wage and hour laws.
	The Company reserves for costs related to contingencies in accordance with aggregate estimates, or when a loss is not included in its estimates and the loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. While the Company believes the provision for legal contingencies is adequate, the outcome of the legal proceedings is difficult to predict and the Company may settle legal claims or be subject to judgments for amounts that differ from the Company’s estimates.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	17. Income Taxes
	The benefit for income taxes consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	—		$	(5,267	)	$	439
	State		1,009			(11	)		1,358
	Total current taxes payable		1,009			(5,278	)		1,797
	Net deferred tax benefit		(10,481	)		(13,894	)		(16,480	)
	Income tax benefit	$	(9,472	)	$	(19,172	)	$	(14,683	)
	The Company paid income taxes, net of any refunds, during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 of $1.7 million, $0.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30 are as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gross deferred tax assets:
	Deferred compensation	$	1,155		$	1,006
	Interest rate swap agreements		1,253			2,280
	Accrued workers’ compensation		11,195			11,346
	Net operating loss carryforwards		13,767			13,075
	Allowance for bad debts		4,484			3,173
	Tax credits		1,596			1,596
	Other		2,245			2,717
			35,695			35,193
	Valuation allowance		(8,013	)		(7,079	)
	Deferred tax assets		27,682			28,114
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation		(2,200	)		(5,955	)
	Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets		(87,953	)		(95,695	)
	Other accrued liabilities		(2,340	)		(2,460	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(64,811	)	$	(75,996	)
	The Company is required to record a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, management determined that valuation allowances at September 30, 2013 and 2012 of $8.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively, were necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The valuation allowances primarily related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards.
	For federal purposes, the Company had $15.3 million of net operating loss carryforwards as of September 30, 2013, which expire in 2033, and $16.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards as of September 30, 2012, which expire in 2032. For state purposes, the Company had $170.3 million of net operating loss carryforwards for fiscal 2013, which expire from 2014 through 2033, and $150.6 million of net operating loss carryforwards for fiscal 2012, which expire from 2013 through 2032.
	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory and effective income tax rates at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Federal income tax at statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		3.6			5.2			2.2
	Nondeductible comp		(0.3	)		(0.7	)		(3.2	)
	Other nondeductible expenses		(0.2	)		(1.1	)		(1.4	)
	Credits		—			—			0.6
	Unrecognized tax benefit		—			16.3			0.1
	Other		(0.3	)		3.7			(0.1	)
	Effective tax rate		37.8	%		58.4	%		33.2	%
	Companies may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
	As of September 30, 2011, there was $4.9 million in total unrecognized tax benefits that was recognized during the year ended September 30, 2012. This had a $3.8 million favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2012. No unrecognized tax benefit was recognized for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company does not expect any significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had accrued a total of $2.3 million in interest and penalties, of which the benefit was recognized during the year ended September 30, 2012. No interest and penalties were accrued as of September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance at September 30, 2011	$	4,857
	Reduction due to lapse of statute of limitation		(4,857	)
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	—
	Reduction due to effective settlement		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	—
	The Company files a federal consolidated return with NMH Holdings, Inc. and files various state income tax returns and, generally, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by the taxing authorities for years prior to September 30, 2010. The Company believes that it has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and to be taken on the Company’s income tax returns. In addition, the Company believes its accruals for income tax liabilities are adequate for all open years based on an assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of the tax laws as applied to the facts of each matter.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	18. Segment Information
	The Company has two reportable segments, Human Services and Post-Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services (“SRS”).
	The Human Services segment delivers home and community-based human services to adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and to youth with emotional, behavioral and/or medically complex challenges. Human Services is organized in a reporting structure composed of two operating segments which are aggregated into one reportable segment based on similarity of the economic characteristics and services provided.
	The SRS segment delivers health care and community-based health and human services to individuals who have suffered acquired brain injury, spinal injuries and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses. This segment is organized in a reporting structure composed of two operating segments which are aggregated based on similarity of economic characteristics and services provided.
	Activities classified as “Corporate” in the table below relate primarily to unallocated home office items.
	The Company generally evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on income from operations. The following is a financial summary by reportable operating segment for the periods indicated.
	For the Year Ended September 30,	Human		Post-Acute		Corporate			Consolidated
		Services		Specialty
				Rehabilitation
				Services
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Net revenue	$	990,232	$	208,421	$	—		$	1,198,653
	Income (loss) from operations		91,667		17,293		(55,636	)		53,324
	Total assets		655,140		207,475		157,757			1,020,372
	Depreciation and amortization		45,812		15,948		2,386			64,146
	Purchases of property and equipment		17,791		10,491		3,619			31,901
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		26,579		3,893		(55,516	)		(25,044	)
	2012
	Net revenue	$	937,652	$	185,466	$	—		$	1,123,118
	Income (loss) from operations		80,280		20,376		(53,071	)		47,585
	Total assets		692,015		216,663		136,305			1,044,983
	Depreciation and amortization		43,368		14,389		2,777			60,534
	Purchases of property and equipment		17,659		10,218		2,118			29,995
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		15,183		7,798		(55,832	)		(32,851	)
	2011
	Net revenue	$	887,297	$	175,476	$	—		$	1,062,773
	Income (loss) from operations		77,209		18,434		(61,158	)		34,485
	Depreciation and amortization		44,070		13,374		3,886			61,330
	Purchases of property and equipment		12,495		6,909		1,474			20,878
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		17,290		7,012		(68,502	)		(44,200	)

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	19. Stock-Based Compensation
	Under its equity-based compensation plan adopted in 2006, NMH Investment previously issued units of limited liability company interests consisting of Class B Units, Class C Units, Class D Units and Class E Units to the Company’s employees and members of the Board of Directors as incentive compensation. As of September 30, 2013, there were 192,500 Class B Units, 202,000 Class C Units, 388,881 Class D Units, and 6,375 Class E Units authorized for issuance under the plan. These units derive their value from the value of the Company.
	On June 15, 2011, NMH Investment issued Class F Units, a new class of non-voting common equity units of NMH Investment, as incentive compensation. Up to 5,396,388 Class F Common Units may be issued under the 2006 Unit Plan to management of the Company as equity-based compensation. In addition, the terms of the Class B, C and D Common Units were amended in June 2011 to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding unvested Class B, C and D Common Units so that they became 100% vested.
	For participants who have been continuously employed by the Company since December 31, 2008, 75% of the Class F Common Units vested upon grant and 25% of the Class F Common Units vested on December 15, 2012 (or 18 months following the date of grant) assuming continuous employment with the Company on that date. For participants who had not been continuously employed by the Company since December 31, 2008, 50% of the Class F Common Units vested upon grant, 25% of the Class F Common Units vested on December 15, 2012 and 25% of the Class F Common Units vest on June 15, 2014 (or 36 months following the date of grant), in each case, if the participant continues to be employed by the Company on that date. Class F Common Units awarded after the initial issuances in June 2011 will vest in three equal tranches on each of the first three anniversaries of their respective issuance date.
	On August 13, 2012, an amendment was made to the Amended and Restated 2006 Unit Plan that authorized the issuance of two new classes of non-voting equity units of NMH Investment of up to 130,000 Class G Common Units and up to 1,200,000 Class H Common Units. The Class G Common Units vest upon the consummation of a sale of the Company or an initial public offering of the Company. The Class H Common Units vest upon the consummation of a sale of the Company. Additionally, upon an initial public offering of the Company, the Class H Common Units vest if certain multiples of investment return are achieved by Vestar Capital Partners V, L.P. and certain of its affiliates. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, there were no events that triggered the vesting of the Class G or Class H Common Units and therefore the Company did not recognize any stock-based compensation expense associated with either of these classes of units.
	For purposes of determining the compensation expense associated with these grants, management valued the business enterprise using a variety of widely accepted valuation techniques which considered a number of factors such as the financial performance of the Company, the values of comparable companies and the lack of marketability of the Company’s equity. The Company then used the option pricing method to determine the fair value of the units granted.
	The fair value of the units issued during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was calculated using the following assumptions:
		FY2013		FY2012	FY2011
	Risk-free interest rate	0.21-0.27%		0.21-0.27%	0.68%
	Expected term	1.7-2.4 years		1.7-2.4 years	3 years
	Expected volatility	40.00%		40.00%	50.00%
	The estimated fair value of the units, less an assumed forfeiture rate of 9.3%, was recognized as expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards with the exception of the Class G Common Units and Class H Common Units. The assumed forfeiture rate is based on an average of the Company’s historical forfeiture rates, which the Company estimates is indicative of future forfeitures.
	The Company recorded $0.3 million, $0.7 million and $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in General and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The summary of activity under the plan is presented below:
		Units			Weighted
		Outstanding			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested balance at September 30, 2012		1,935,786		$	0.69
	Granted		129,762			0.79
	Forfeited		25,710			0.66
	Vested		643,854			0.97
	Nonvested balance at September 30, 2013		1,395,984			0.57
	As of September 30, 2013, there was $0.7 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the units. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.95 years.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	20. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	The following table summarizes information about the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales allowances for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Balance at		Provision		Write-Offs			Balance at
		Beginning							End of
		of Period							Period
		(In thousands)
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013	$	9,250	$	18,286	$	(15,042	)	$	12,494
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2012	$	7,957	$	12,902	$	(11,609	)	$	9,250
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2011	$	7,225	$	11,670	$	(10,938	)	$	7,957
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company also had $7.5 million of accounts receivable liens, net of $1.4 million allowances for those liens, recorded as part of Other assets within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
	21. Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
	The following table presents consolidated statement of operations data for each of the eight quarters in the period which began December 31, 2011 and ended September 30, 2013. This information is derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements, which in the opinion of management contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial data. Operating results for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.
			For The Quarters Ended (1)
			December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,
			2011			2012			2012			2012			2012			2013			2013			2013
	Net revenue		$	272,751		$	277,187		$	283,703		$	289,477		$	293,635		$	295,571		$	304,335		$	305,112
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax			(5,020	)		(830	)		(3,095	)		(4,734	)		(8,349	)		(5,246	)		(2,407	)		430
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(59	)		(229	)		113			(526	)		(25	)		(2,589	)		(64	)		(46	)
	Net income (loss)		$	(5,079	)	$	(1,059	)	$	(2,982	)	$	(5,260	)	$	(8,374	)	$	(7,835	)	$	(2,471	)	$	384
	-1	During fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2013, the Company sold its home health business, closed certain Human Services operations in the state of Maryland, Colorado, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York and Virginia, and sold its Mentor Rhode Island business. All fiscal years presented reflect the classification of these businesses as discontinued operations.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	22. Subsequent Events
	On October 11, 2013, the Company announced an executive transition plan under which the current President and Chief Operating Officer will also become the Chief Executive Officer and the sole principal executive officer effective January 1, 2014. NMH Investment authorized grants of 100,000 Class F Common Units and 100,000 Class H Common Units to our President and Chief Operating Officer in connection with his promotion. Additionally, effective January 1, 2014, the current Chief Executive Officer will become the Executive Chair of the Board and will remain a full-time executive employee of the Company but will cease to be a co-principal executive officer. Also effective January 1, 2014, the current Executive Chair of the Board will step down as Chairman but will remain a director.
	In November 2013, the Company acquired one company complementary to its Human Services business. Aggregate consideration for the acquisition was $1.4 million. The Company is in the process of determining the appropriate amount to be allocated to goodwill and specifically identifiable intangible assets, as well as finalize its purchase price adjustments.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	These accounting policies and estimates are constantly reevaluated, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances dictate a change.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers short-term investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily consist of bank deposits and the carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash consists of a cash collateral account set up to support the issuance of letters of credit under the Company’s institutional letter of credit facility and funds provided from government payors restricted for client use.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments include cash, accounts receivables, variable and fixed rate debt, self-insurance assets and liabilities and accounts payable. The carrying value of these instruments approximates their fair values with the exception of the fixed rate debt.
Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks	'
	Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, self-insurance receivables and accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with federally insured commercial banks in the United States, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The unlimited coverage by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) expired on December 31, 2012. Accounts are currently guaranteed by the FDIC up to $250 thousand. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company derives approximately 87% of its revenue from state and local government payors. These entities fund a significant portion of their payments to the Company through federal matching funds, which pass through various state and local government agencies.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is reported net of allowances for unauthorized sales and estimated sales adjustments. Revenue is also reported net of any state provider taxes or gross receipts taxes levied on services the Company provides. Sales adjustments are estimated based on an analysis of historical sales adjustments and recent developments in payment trends. Revenue is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, the service has been provided, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
	The Company recognizes revenue for services performed pursuant to contracts with various state and local government agencies and private health care agencies as follows: cost-reimbursement contract revenue is recognized at the time the service costs are incurred and units-of-service contract revenue is recognized at the time the service is provided. For the Company’s cost-reimbursement contracts, the rate provided by the payor is based on a certain level of service and types of costs incurred in delivering the service. From time to time, the Company receives payments under cost-reimbursement contracts in excess of the allowable costs required to support those payments. In such instances, the Company estimates and records a liability for such excess payments. At the end of the contract period, any balance of excess payments is maintained as a liability until it is reimbursed to the payor. Revenue in the future may be affected by changes in rate-setting structures, methodologies or interpretations that may be enacted in states where the Company operates or by the federal government.
Cost of Revenue	'
	Cost of Revenue
	The Company classifies expenses directly related to providing services as Cost of revenue, except for depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenue, which are shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations. Direct costs and expenses principally include salaries and benefits for service provider employees, per diem payments to independently contracted host-home caregivers (“Mentors”), residential occupancy expenses, which are primarily comprised of rent and utilities related to facilities providing direct care, certain client expenses such as food and medicine and transportation costs for clients requiring services, and professional and general liability expense.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The Company provides for depreciation using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Estimated useful lives for buildings are 30 years. The useful lives for computer hardware and software are three years, the useful lives for furniture and equipment range from three to five years and the useful lives for vehicles are five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the remaining lease term or seven years. Capital lease assets are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or the useful life of the asset. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. When assets are sold or retired, the corresponding cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in the period of the sale or retirement.
Internal Use Software Development Costs	'
	Internal Use Software Development Costs
	The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with its internally developed software that are incurred subsequent to the preliminary project stage. Specifically, the Company capitalizes the payroll and payroll-related costs of employees who are directly involved with and who devote time to the Company’s software development project and other applicable third-party costs, and amortizes these costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software of three years. Amortization begins when the internal-use software is ready for its intended use.
	Internal use software development costs of $1.3 million have been capitalized for the year ended September 30, 2013. The capitalized amounts were included as part of construction in progress on the consolidated balance sheets in Property and equipment. Because the Company believes that the project is not substantially complete and ready for its intended use, no amortization expense has been recorded to date.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from government agencies, not-for-profit providers and commercial insurance companies. An estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to the extent it is probable that a portion or all of a particular account will not be collected. In evaluating the collectibility of accounts receivable, the Company considers a number of factors, including payment trends in individual states, age of the accounts and the status of ongoing disputes with third party payors. Complex rules and regulations regarding billing and timely filing requirements in various states are also a factor in our assessment of the collectibility of accounts receivable. Actual collections of accounts receivable in subsequent periods may require changes in the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes in these estimates are charged or credited to revenue as a contractual allowance in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of the change in estimate.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
	The Company reviews costs of purchased businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill), and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, unless significant changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment may have occurred sooner. The Company conducts its annual impairment test for both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on July 1 of each year.
	The Company is required to test goodwill on a reporting unit basis, of which there are two for each of the Company’s operating segments. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The Company has elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceed directly to the two-step impairment test. The first step is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value then the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill in order to determine the amount of impairment to be recognized. The excess of the carrying value of goodwill above the implied goodwill, if any, would be recognized as an impairment charge. Fair values are established using discounted cash flow and comparative market multiple methods.
	For its indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The Company has elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for fiscal 2013 and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets requires the determination of the fair value of the intangible asset. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. Fair values are established using the Relief from Royalty method.
	The fair value of a reporting unit is based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period. As such, actual results may differ from these estimates and lead to a revaluation of the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. If updated estimates indicate that the fair value of goodwill or any indefinite-life intangibles is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of the change in estimate.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable based on the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is determined not to be recoverable, a write-down to fair value is recorded.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are separated into current and long-term amounts based on the classification of the related assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and netted by jurisdiction. Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets are estimated based on the Company’s assessment of its ability to realize such amounts.
	The Company also recognizes the benefits of tax positions when certain criteria are satisfied. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company reports derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current operations or in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) depending upon whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction.
	The Company, from time to time, enters into interest rate swap agreements to hedge against variability in cash flows resulting from fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate, which is LIBOR, on the Company’s debt. These agreements involve the exchange of variable interest rates for fixed interest rates over the life of the swap agreement without an exchange of the notional amount upon which the payments are based. On a quarterly basis, the differential to be received or paid as interest rates change is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In addition, on a quarterly basis the mark to market valuation is recorded as an adjustment to gain (loss) on derivative instrument within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The related amount receivable from or payable to counterparties is included as an asset or liability, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	The Company’s investments in related party marketable debt securities have been classified as available-for-sale securities and, accordingly, are valued at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses arising from such valuation are reported within the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	NMH Investment, LLC (“NMH Investment”), the Company’s indirect parent, adopted an equity-based compensation plan in 2006, and from time to time it has issued units of limited liability company interests pursuant to such plan, consisting of Class B Units, Class C Units, Class D Units, Class E Units, Class F Units, Class G Units and Class H Units. The units are limited liability company interests and are available for issuance to the Company’s employees and members of the Board of Directors for incentive purposes. For purposes of determining the compensation expense associated with these grants, management values the business enterprise using a variety of widely accepted valuation techniques which considered a number of factors such as the Company’s financial performance, the values of comparable companies and the lack of marketability of the Company’s equity. The Company then uses the option pricing method to determine the fair value of these units at the time of grant using valuation assumptions consisting of the expected term in which the units will be realized; a risk-free interest rate equal to the U.S. federal treasury bond rate consistent with the term assumption; expected dividend yield, for which there is none; and expected volatility based on the historical data of equity instruments of comparable companies. For Class B Units, Class C Units, Class D Units, Class E Units and Class F Units, the estimated fair value of the units, less an assumed forfeiture rate, is recognized in expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards. The Class G Units and Class H Units vest upon a liquidity event and/or upon the occurrence of certain investment return conditions, for which the compensation expense will then be recognized in its entirety when probable.
Accruals for Self-Insurance	'
	Accruals for Self-Insurance
	The Company maintains professional and general liability, workers’ compensation, automobile liability and health insurance with policies that include self-insured retentions. It is fully self-insured for employment practices liability claims. The Company records expenses related to claims on an incurred basis, which includes estimates of fully developed losses for both reported and unreported claims. The accruals for the health and workers’ compensation, automobile, employment practices and professional and general liability programs are based on analyses performed internally by management and may take into account reports by independent third parties. Accruals relating to prior periods are periodically re-evaluated and increased or decreased based on new information.
Self-Insurance Gross versus Net Presentation	'
	Self-Insurance Gross versus Net Presentation
	The Company reports its insurance liabilities on a gross basis without giving effect to insurance recoveries. Anticipated insurance recoveries are presented in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Self-insured liabilities are presented in Accrued payroll and related costs, Other accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Legal Contingencies	'
	Legal Contingencies
	The Company is regularly involved in litigation and regulatory proceedings in the operation of its business. For claims that are not accounted for in its self-insurance reserves, the Company reserves for costs when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. While the Company believes its provision for legal contingencies is adequate, the outcome of its legal proceedings is difficult to predict and it may settle legal claims or be subject to judgments for amounts that differ from its estimates. In addition, legal contingencies could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations in any given future reporting period.
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	The Company analyzes its operations that have been divested or classified as held-for-sale to determine if they qualify for discontinued operations accounting. Only operations that qualify as a component of an entity, as defined by the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), can be classified as a discontinued operation. In addition, only components where the cash flows of the component have been or will be eliminated from ongoing operations by the end of the assessment period and where the Company does not have significant continuing involvement with the divested operations would qualify for discontinued operations accounting.
Presentation of Comprehensive Income	'
	Presentation of Comprehensive Income — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. The final standard requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and was applied retrospectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Additionally, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”) in February 2013. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by the net income line item. ASU 2013-02 was effective for the Company beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2013-02 impacted the presentation of other comprehensive loss as the Company previously presented the components of other comprehensive loss as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity (deficit).
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other	'
	Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. Additionally, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the impairment test, and perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. ASU 2011-08 was effective for the Company in fiscal 2013. The adoption of this provision did not impact the consolidated financial statements as the Company has elected to proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test.
	Intangibles-Goodwill and Other — In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 amends the guidance in ASC 350, to provide an option to first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount before applying the quantitative impairment test. An entity is required to perform the quantitative test only if it determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinitely-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 was effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption being permitted. The adoption of this provision did not impact the consolidated financial statements as the Company has elected to proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test.
Technical Corrections and Improvements	'
	Technical Corrections and Improvements — In October 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-04, Technical Corrections and Improvements (“ASU 2012-04”). The amendments in this update cover a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification. These amendments include technical corrections and improvements to the Accounting Standards Codification and conforming amendments related to fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2012-04 will not have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Beyond		Community			Carolina		TOTAL
		Abilities		Links			Autism
	Identifiable intangible assets	$	2,984	$	3,078		$	420	$	6,482
	Other assets, current and long term		—		16			2		18
	Property and equipment		136		46			39		221
	Total identifiable net assets	$	3,120	$	3,140		$	461	$	6,721
	Goodwill	$	1,280	$	1,260		$	14	$	2,554
Schedule of Pro Forma Results of Operations	'
	The Company has determined that the presentation of the results of operations for each of these acquisitions, from the date of acquisition, is impracticable due to the integration of the operations upon acquisition.
	(in thousands)	Year Ended		Year Ended			Year Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012			2011
	Net revenue	$	1,208,808	$	1,144,739		$	1,075,251
	Income from operations		55,591		51,106			36,794
Fiscal 2012 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Schedule of Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Families		SCVP			Copper		Alpha		Radical			Other		TOTAL
		Together					Family		Group		Rehab			Acquisitions
	Identifiable intangible assets	$	2,102	$	291		$	1,836	$	1,927	$	6,340		$	89	$	12,585
	Other assets, current and long term		—		—			—		—		41			—		41
	Property and equipment		6		5			116		288		62			20		497
	Total identifiable net assets	$	2,108	$	296		$	1,952	$	2,215	$	6,443		$	109	$	13,123
	Goodwill	$	892	$	154		$	687	$	85	$	1,557		$	46	$	3,421
Fiscal 2011 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Schedule of Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:
	(in thousands)	New Start		ViaQuest			Phoenix		Inclusive		Communicare			Other		TOTAL
		Homes							Solutions					Acquisitions
	Accounts receivable	$	—	$	191		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	191
	Other assets, current and long term		—		—			4		—		—			—		4
	Identifiable intangible assets		450		641			951		984		4,238			317		7,581
	Property and equipment		3		—			—		413		91			—		507
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		—		(116	)		—		—		(800	)		—		(916	)
	Total identifiable net assets	$	453	$	716		$	955	$	1,397	$	3,529		$	317	$	7,367
	Goodwill	$	197	$	384		$	120	$	603	$	3,795		$	122	$	5,221

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Net Revenue and Loss Before Income Taxes for Company's Discontinued Operations	'
	The net revenue and loss before income taxes for the Company’s discontinued operations at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Net revenue	$	2,339		$	6,455		$	14,489
	Loss before income taxes		(4,455	)		(1,147	)		(7,563	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Goodwill	'
	The changes in goodwill for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Human			Post-Acute		Total
		Services			Specialty
					Rehabilitation
					Services
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of September 30, 2011	$	167,877		$	63,138	$	231,015
	Goodwill acquired through acquisitions		1,860			1,561		3,421
	Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses		(75	)		—		(75	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2012		169,662			64,699		234,361
	Goodwill acquired through acquisitions		1,294			1,260		2,554
	Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses		(1,334	)		—		(1,334	)
	Adjustments to goodwill, net		—			42		42
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	169,622		$	66,001	$	235,623
Schedule of Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2013:
	Description	Weighted			Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		Average			Carrying		Amortization			Assets, Net
		Remaining Life			Value
	(in thousands)
	Agency contracts		9 years		$	464,480	$	195,737		$	268,743
	Non-compete/non-solicit		3 years			4,929		2,058			2,871
	Relationship with contracted caregivers		3 years			10,963		7,905			3,058
	Trade names		4 years			3,787		2,431			1,356
	Trade names (indefinite life)		—			42,400		—			42,400
	Licenses and permits		4 years			45,760		28,343			17,417
	Intellectual property		3 years			904		558			346
					$	573,223	$	237,032		$	336,191
	Intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2012:
	Description	Weighted			Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		Average			Carrying		Amortization			Assets, Net
		Remaining Life			Value
	(in thousands)
	Agency contracts		10 years		$	467,639	$	167,976		$	299,663
	Non-compete/non-solicit		3 years			3,949		1,301			2,648
	Relationship with contracted caregivers		4 years			11,051		6,831			4,220
	Trade names		5 years			3,774		2,078			1,696
	Trade names (indefinite life)		—			42,400		—			42,400
	Licenses and permits		5 years			45,194		23,911			21,283
	Intellectual property		4 years			904		429			475
					$	574,911	$	202,526		$	372,385
Schedule of Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets	'
	The estimated remaining amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows:
	Year Ending September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	37,188
	2015		35,385
	2016		33,475
	2017		29,284
	2018		28,361
	Thereafter		130,098
		$	293,791

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Buildings and land	$	123,046		$	123,478
	Vehicles		45,846			42,020
	Computer hardware		29,661			25,233
	Leasehold improvements		38,755			29,269
	Furniture and fixtures		12,931			10,244
	Office and telecommunication equipment		8,115			8,012
	Construction in progress		2,246			1,539
			260,600			239,795
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(106,965	)		(88,247	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	153,635		$	151,548

Certain_Balance_Sheet_Accounts1

Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following at September 30:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Prepaid business expense	$	2,906	$	4,005
	Prepaid insurance		1,309		1,631
	Anticipated insurance recoveries		9,966		11,267
	Other		3,590		3,201
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	17,771	$	20,104
Other Accrued Liabilities	'
	Other accrued liabilities consist of the following at September 30:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Accrued insurance	$	18,756	$	19,930
	Accrued swap valuation liability		3,165		5,638
	Due to third party payors		3,569		5,444
	Other		19,576		19,372
	Other accrued liabilities	$	45,066	$	50,384

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	The Company’s long-term debt consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Term loan (including the Incremental Term Loan), principal and interest due in quarterly installments through February 9, 2017	$	546,525		$	522,050
	Original issue discount on term loan, net of accumulated amortization		(4,403	)		(5,737	)
	Senior notes, due February 15, 2018; semi-annual cash interest payments due each February 15th and August 15th (interest rate of 12.50%)		250,000			250,000
	Original issue discount and initial purchase discount on senior notes, net of accumulated amortization		(7,003	)		(8,615	)
	Senior revolver, due February 9, 2016; quarterly cash interest payments at a variable interest rate		—			19,000
			785,119			776,698
	Less current portion		5,600			24,300
	Long-term debt	$	779,519		$	752,398
Schedule of Annual Maturities of Company's Debt	'
	Amounts due at any year end may increase as a result of the provision in the senior credit agreement that requires a prepayment of a portion of the outstanding term loan amounts if the Company generates certain levels of cash flow.
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	5,600
	2015		5,600
	2016		5,600
	2017		529,725
	2018		250,000
	Thereafter		—
	Total	$	796,525

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	'
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 consist of:
	(in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant Other			Significant
					Market Prices		Observable			Unobservable
					(Level 1)		Inputs			Inputs
							(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(3,165	)	$	—	$	(3,165	)	$	—
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value at September 30, 2012 consist of:
	(in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant Other			Significant
					Market Prices		Observable			Unobservable
					(Level 1)		Inputs			Inputs
							(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(5,638	)	$	—	$	(5,638	)	$	—
Carrying Amount of Debt Instrument	'
	At September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and variable rate debt approximated fair value. The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt instruments are set forth below:
		September 30, 2013					September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)	Carrying			Fair		Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value		Amount			Value
	Senior notes (issued February 9, 2011)	$	242,997		$	268,750	$	241,385		$	251,785

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Noncancellable Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum lease payments for noncancellable operating leases for the fiscal years ending September 30, are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	47,261
	2015		38,046
	2016		29,847
	2017		24,335
	2018		16,599
	Thereafter		42,062
		$	198,150
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Capital Leases	'
	The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments under the capital leases at September 30:
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	430
	2015		451
	2016		497
	2017		549
	2018		608
	Thereafter		4,404
	Total minimum lease payments	$	6,939

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Benefit for Income Taxes	'
	The benefit for income taxes consists of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	—		$	(5,267	)	$	439
	State		1,009			(11	)		1,358
	Total current taxes payable		1,009			(5,278	)		1,797
	Net deferred tax benefit		(10,481	)		(13,894	)		(16,480	)
	Income tax benefit	$	(9,472	)	$	(19,172	)	$	(14,683	)
Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30 are as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gross deferred tax assets:
	Deferred compensation	$	1,155		$	1,006
	Interest rate swap agreements		1,253			2,280
	Accrued workers’ compensation		11,195			11,346
	Net operating loss carryforwards		13,767			13,075
	Allowance for bad debts		4,484			3,173
	Tax credits		1,596			1,596
	Other		2,245			2,717
			35,695			35,193
	Valuation allowance		(8,013	)		(7,079	)
	Deferred tax assets		27,682			28,114
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation		(2,200	)		(5,955	)
	Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets		(87,953	)		(95,695	)
	Other accrued liabilities		(2,340	)		(2,460	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(64,811	)	$	(75,996	)
Reconciliation Between Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rates	'
	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory and effective income tax rates at September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Federal income tax at statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		3.6			5.2			2.2
	Nondeductible comp		(0.3	)		(0.7	)		(3.2	)
	Other nondeductible expenses		(0.2	)		(1.1	)		(1.4	)
	Credits		—			—			0.6
	Unrecognized tax benefit		—			16.3			0.1
	Other		(0.3	)		3.7			(0.1	)
	Effective tax rate		37.8	%		58.4	%		33.2	%
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance at September 30, 2011	$	4,857
	Reduction due to lapse of statute of limitation		(4,857	)
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	—
	Reduction due to effective settlement		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	—

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Performance of Operating Segments	'
	The Company generally evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on income from operations. The following is a financial summary by reportable operating segment for the periods indicated.
	For the Year Ended September 30,	Human		Post-Acute		Corporate			Consolidated
		Services		Specialty
				Rehabilitation
				Services
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Net revenue	$	990,232	$	208,421	$	—		$	1,198,653
	Income (loss) from operations		91,667		17,293		(55,636	)		53,324
	Total assets		655,140		207,475		157,757			1,020,372
	Depreciation and amortization		45,812		15,948		2,386			64,146
	Purchases of property and equipment		17,791		10,491		3,619			31,901
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		26,579		3,893		(55,516	)		(25,044	)
	2012
	Net revenue	$	937,652	$	185,466	$	—		$	1,123,118
	Income (loss) from operations		80,280		20,376		(53,071	)		47,585
	Total assets		692,015		216,663		136,305			1,044,983
	Depreciation and amortization		43,368		14,389		2,777			60,534
	Purchases of property and equipment		17,659		10,218		2,118			29,995
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		15,183		7,798		(55,832	)		(32,851	)
	2011
	Net revenue	$	887,297	$	175,476	$	—		$	1,062,773
	Income (loss) from operations		77,209		18,434		(61,158	)		34,485
	Depreciation and amortization		44,070		13,374		3,886			61,330
	Purchases of property and equipment		12,495		6,909		1,474			20,878
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		17,290		7,012		(68,502	)		(44,200	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Fair Value of Units Issued	'
	The fair value of the units issued during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was calculated using the following assumptions:
		FY2013		FY2012	FY2011
	Risk-free interest rate	0.21-0.27%		0.21-0.27%	0.68%
	Expected term	1.7-2.4 years		1.7-2.4 years	3 years
	Expected volatility	40.00%		40.00%	50.00%
Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense	'
	The summary of activity under the plan is presented below:
		Units			Weighted
		Outstanding			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested balance at September 30, 2012		1,935,786		$	0.69
	Granted		129,762			0.79
	Forfeited		25,710			0.66
	Vested		643,854			0.97
	Nonvested balance at September 30, 2013		1,395,984			0.57

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Summary Information about Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Allowances	'
	The following table summarizes information about the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales allowances for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Balance at		Provision		Write-Offs			Balance at
		Beginning							End of
		of Period							Period
		(In thousands)
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013	$	9,250	$	18,286	$	(15,042	)	$	12,494
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2012	$	7,957	$	12,902	$	(11,609	)	$	9,250
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2011	$	7,225	$	11,670	$	(10,938	)	$	7,957

Quarterly_Financial_Data_unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data for Eight Quarters	'
	The following table presents consolidated statement of operations data for each of the eight quarters in the period which began December 31, 2011 and ended September 30, 2013. This information is derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements, which in the opinion of management contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial data. Operating results for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.
			For The Quarters Ended (1)
			December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,
			2011			2012			2012			2012			2012			2013			2013			2013
	Net revenue		$	272,751		$	277,187		$	283,703		$	289,477		$	293,635		$	295,571		$	304,335		$	305,112
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax			(5,020	)		(830	)		(3,095	)		(4,734	)		(8,349	)		(5,246	)		(2,407	)		430
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(59	)		(229	)		113			(526	)		(25	)		(2,589	)		(64	)		(46	)
	Net income (loss)		$	(5,079	)	$	(1,059	)	$	(2,982	)	$	(5,260	)	$	(8,374	)	$	(7,835	)	$	(2,471	)	$	384
	-1	During fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2013, the Company sold its home health business, closed certain Human Services operations in the state of Maryland, Colorado, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York and Virginia, and sold its Mentor Rhode Island business. All fiscal years presented reflect the classification of these businesses as discontinued operations.

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
	Clients
	State
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Area of operations, number of states	35
Number of residential clients	12,300
Number of periodic clients	16,700

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Maturity of short-term investments	'90 days
Percentage of revenue from state and local government	87.00%
Cash And Cash equivalent insured by FDIC	$250,000
Amortized capitalized software development cost	'3 years
Capitalized costs related to software development	$1,300,000
Number of reporting units	2
Buildings [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'30 years
Computer hardware and software [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'3 years
Furniture and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'3 years
Furniture and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'5 years
Vehicles [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'7 years

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Sep. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 20, 2013

Sep. 20, 2013

Sep. 20, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

Nov. 02, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 01, 2012

Nov. 02, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Nov. 02, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Nov. 02, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Mar. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 26, 2012

Apr. 05, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Apr. 05, 2012

Apr. 05, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 26, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Oct. 26, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Jun. 01, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 01, 2011

Jun. 01, 2011

Jun. 23, 2011

Jun. 23, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 23, 2011

Jun. 23, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Company

Company

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Community Links [Member]

Community Links [Member]

Community Links [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Families Together [Member]

Families Together [Member]

Families Together [Member]

Families Together [Member]

Families Together [Member]

SCVP [Member]

SCVP [Member]

SCVP [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

ViaQuest [Member]

ViaQuest [Member]

ViaQuest [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Other Acquisition [Member]

Other Acquisition [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Company

Agency Contracts [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Licenses and Permits [Member]

Agency Contracts [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Two Group Homes [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of companies acquired

'

3

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value consideration of acquired companies

'

$9,300,000

$16,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

Acquisition date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20-Sep-13

'

'

'

'

30-Aug-13

'

'

1-Nov-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of acquisition

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

2,600,000

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

200,000

700,000

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

8,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of goodwill

'

2,554,000

3,421,000

5,221,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

1,280,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

1,260,000

'

'

14,000

14,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

892,000

900,000

'

'

'

300,000

154,000

'

700,000

687,000

'

'

100,000

85,000

'

'

1,600,000

1,557,000

'

'

'

'

200,000

197,000

'

'

400,000

384,000

'

100,000

'

120,000

'

600,000

603,000

'

'

3,800,000

'

3,795,000

'

'

'

'

Acquired Tangible Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized identifiable intangible assets acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

1,500,000

900,000

600,000

3,100,000

'

3,000,000

'

'

400,000

'

100,000

'

100,000

'

200,000

'

2,100,000

800,000

1,000,000

300,000

'

'

100,000

1,800,000

'

1,400,000

400,000

1,900,000

'

1,600,000

300,000

6,300,000

'

5,400,000

200,000

700,000

100,000

500,000

'

300,000

200,000

600,000

200,000

500,000

1,000,000

'

'

700,000

'

'

500,000

400,000

4,200,000

'

'

2,000,000

1,600,000

200,000

'

Tenure of agency contract

'

'

'

'

'11 years

'5 years

'10 years

'

'

'12 years

'5 years

'10 years

'

'

'12 years

'

'

'

'12 years

'

'5 years

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'11 years

'10 years

'

'

'12 years

'10 years

'

'

'12 years

'5 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'11 years

'10 years

'

'

'11 years

'

'

'

'11 years

'

'

'11 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'11 years

'5 years

'

'

Tangible assets acquired

'

221,000

497,000

507,000

'

'

'

'

136,000

'

'

'

'

46,000

'

'

39,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

'

100,000

116,000

'

'

300,000

288,000

'

'

100,000

62,000

'

'

'

'

'

3,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

413,000

'

'

'

'

91,000

'

'

'

'

Goodwill write off

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Written off of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued contingent consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$800,000

$800,000

$0

'

'

'

'

Business_Combinations_Schedule

Business Combinations - Schedule of Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Apr. 05, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Oct. 26, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 01, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 23, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 01, 2012

Families Together [Member]

Families Together [Member]

SCVP [Member]

SCVP [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Copper Family [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Alpha Group [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Radical Rehab [Member]

Other Acquisitions [Member]

Other Acquisitions [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

New Start Homes [Member]

ViaQuest [Member]

ViaQuest [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Phoenix [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Inclusive Solutions [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Communicare [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Beyond Abilities [Member]

Community Links [Member]

Community Links [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Carolina Autism [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable

'

'

$191,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$191,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets, current and long term

18,000

41,000

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,000

'

2,000

'

Identifiable intangible assets

6,482,000

12,585,000

7,581,000

2,102,000

'

291,000

'

1,836,000

'

1,927,000

'

6,340,000

'

89,000

317,000

450,000

'

641,000

'

951,000

'

984,000

'

4,238,000

'

2,984,000

'

3,078,000

'

420,000

'

Property and equipment

221,000

497,000

507,000

6,000

'

5,000

'

116,000

100,000

288,000

300,000

62,000

100,000

20,000

'

3,000

'

'

'

'

'

413,000

'

91,000

'

136,000

'

46,000

'

39,000

'

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

'

'

-916,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-116,000

'

'

'

'

'

-800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total identifiable net assets

6,721,000

13,123,000

7,367,000

2,108,000

'

296,000

'

1,952,000

'

2,215,000

'

6,443,000

'

109,000

317,000

453,000

'

716,000

'

955,000

'

1,397,000

'

3,529,000

'

3,120,000

'

3,140,000

'

461,000

'

Goodwill

$2,554,000

$3,421,000

$5,221,000

$892,000

$900,000

$154,000

$300,000

$687,000

$700,000

$85,000

$100,000

$1,557,000

$1,600,000

$46,000

$122,000

$197,000

$200,000

$384,000

$400,000

$120,000

$100,000

$603,000

$600,000

$3,795,000

$3,800,000

$1,280,000

$1,300,000

$1,260,000

$1,300,000

$14,000

$14,000

Business_Combinations_Schedule1

Business Combinations - Schedule of Pro Forma Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net revenue	$1,208,808	$1,144,739	$1,075,251
Income from operations	$55,591	$51,106	$36,794

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pre-tax loss	$4,455,000	$1,147,000	$7,563,000
Rockland Child Development Services, Inc [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pre-tax loss	'	'	8,000,000
Goodwill write-off	'	'	3,100,000
Discontinued operations, write-off of intangible assets	'	'	2,800,000
New Hampshire [Member] | Nebraska [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pre-tax loss	'	'	200,000
Mentor Rhode Island [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pre-tax loss	800,000	'	'
Pre-tax impairment charge	700,000	'	'
FAS Virginia [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pre-tax loss	3,600,000	'	'
Write-off of intangible assets	$3,400,000	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Net_Re

Discontinued Operations - Net Revenue and (Income) Loss Before Taxes for Company's Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net revenue	$2,339	$6,455	$14,489
Loss before income taxes	($4,455)	($1,147)	($7,563)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$234,361	$231,015
Goodwill acquired through acquisitions	2,554	3,421
Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses	-1,334	-75
Adjustments to goodwill, net	42	'
Ending Balance	235,623	234,361
Human Services [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	169,662	167,877
Goodwill acquired through acquisitions	1,294	1,860
Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses	-1,334	-75
Adjustments to goodwill, net	'	'
Ending Balance	169,622	169,662
Post Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	64,699	63,138
Goodwill acquired through acquisitions	1,260	1,561
Goodwill written off related to disposal of businesses	'	'
Adjustments to goodwill, net	42	'
Ending Balance	$66,001	$64,699

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	$237,032,000	$202,526,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense for continuing operations	38,400,000	36,500,000	38,200,000
Amortization expense for discontinued operations	200,000	400,000	1,500,000
Agency Contracts [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	195,737,000	167,976,000	'
Licenses and Permits [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	28,343,000	23,911,000	'
Human Services [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill write off	1,300,000	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	1,000,000	'	2,700,000
Human Services [Member] | Agency Contracts [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	900,000	'	'
Human Services [Member] | Licenses and Permits [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense related with Intangible assets	$100,000	'	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$573,223	$574,911
Accumulated Amortization	237,032	202,526
Intangible Assets, Net	336,191	372,385
Agency Contracts [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'9 years	'10 years
Gross Carrying Value	464,480	467,639
Accumulated Amortization	195,737	167,976
Intangible Assets, Net	268,743	299,663
Non-Compete/Non-Solicit [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'3 years	'3 years
Gross Carrying Value	4,929	3,949
Accumulated Amortization	2,058	1,301
Intangible Assets, Net	2,871	2,648
Relationship with Contracted Caregivers [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'3 years	'4 years
Gross Carrying Value	10,963	11,051
Accumulated Amortization	7,905	6,831
Intangible Assets, Net	3,058	4,220
Trade Names (Indefinite Life) [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	42,400	42,400
Accumulated Amortization	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	42,400	42,400
Licenses and Permits [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'4 years	'5 years
Gross Carrying Value	45,760	45,194
Accumulated Amortization	28,343	23,911
Intangible Assets, Net	17,417	21,283
Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'3 years	'4 years
Gross Carrying Value	904	904
Accumulated Amortization	558	429
Intangible Assets, Net	346	475
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'4 years	'5 years
Gross Carrying Value	3,787	3,774
Accumulated Amortization	2,431	2,078
Intangible Assets, Net	$1,356	$1,696

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$37,188
2015	35,385
2016	33,475
2017	29,284
2018	28,361
Thereafter	130,098
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	$293,791

Property_and_Equipment_Schedul

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$260,600	$239,795
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-106,965	-88,247
Property and equipment, net	153,635	151,548
Buildings and Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	123,046	123,478
Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	45,846	42,020
Computer Hardware [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	29,661	25,233
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	38,755	29,269
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	12,931	10,244
Office and Telecommunication Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	8,115	8,012
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$2,246	$1,539

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense for continuing operations	$25,700,000	$24,100,000	$23,100,000
Depreciation expense for discontinued operations	$20,000	$47,000	$200,000

Certain_Balance_Sheet_Accounts2

Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid business expense	$2,906	$4,005
Prepaid insurance	1,309	1,631
Anticipated insurance recoveries	9,966	11,267
Other	3,590	3,201
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$17,771	$20,104

Certain_Balance_Sheet_Accounts3

Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Other Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued insurance	$18,756	$19,930
Accrued swap valuation liability	3,165	5,638
Due to third party payors	3,569	5,444
Other	19,576	19,372
Other accrued liabilities	$45,066	$50,384

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$785,119	$776,698
Less current portion	5,600	24,300
Long-term debt	779,519	752,398
Term loan (including the Incremental Term Loan) principal and interest due in quarterly installments through February 9, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	546,525	522,050
Original Issue Discount on Term Loan, Net of Accumulated Amortization [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	-4,403	-5,737
Senior Notes, Due February 15, 2018; Semi-annual Cash Interest Payments Due Each February 15th and August 15th (Interest Rate of 12.50%) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	250,000	250,000
Original Issue Discount and Initial Purchase Discount on Senior Notes, Net of Accumulated Amortization [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	-7,003	-8,615
Senior Revolver, Due February 9, 2016; Quarterly Cash Interest Payments at a Variable Interest Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	$19,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Pa

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011
Senior Notes, Due February 15, 2018; Semi-annual Cash Interest Payments Due Each February 15th and August 15th (Interest Rate of 12.50%) [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Feb-18	15-Feb-18	'
Debt instrument, interest rate	12.50%	12.50%	12.50%
Senior Revolver, Due February 9, 2016; Quarterly Cash Interest Payments at a Variable Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	9-Feb-16	9-Feb-16	'
Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	9-Feb-17	9-Feb-17	'

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 15, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 15, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2011

Feb. 09, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 09, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 09, 2011

Oct. 15, 2012

Oct. 15, 2012

Oct. 15, 2012

Oct. 15, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 04, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Derivatives [Member]

Derivatives [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Senior Notes, Due February 15, 2018; Semi-annual Cash Interest Payments Due Each February 15th and August 15th (Interest Rate of 12.50%) [Member]

Senior Notes, Due February 15, 2018; Semi-annual Cash Interest Payments Due Each February 15th and August 15th (Interest Rate of 12.50%) [Member]

Senior Notes, Due February 15, 2018; Semi-annual Cash Interest Payments Due Each February 15th and August 15th (Interest Rate of 12.50%) [Member]

Covenants [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Senior Revolver, Due February 9, 2016; Quarterly Cash Interest Payments at a Variable Interest Rate [Member]

Senior Revolver, Due February 9, 2016; Quarterly Cash Interest Payments at a Variable Interest Rate [Member]

Senior Revolver, Due February 9, 2016; Quarterly Cash Interest Payments at a Variable Interest Rate [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]

Tranche B-1 Term Loan [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

New Revolving Credit Facility under Amendment Agreement [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Eurodollar Future [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility Incremental Amendment No. 1 [Member]

Swingline and The Senior Revolver [Member]

Derivatives [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Short Term And Long Term Debt [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

$250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$530,000,000

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

$530,000,000

$522,100,000

'

'

'

'

$30,000,000

'

Amount deposited in cash collateral account in support of issuance of letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Price of term loan issued of its face value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

98.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization rate of price of term loan was issued of its face value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, amendment date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Oct-12

'

'

'

4-Feb-13

'

Debt instrument, fees incurred related to Amendment Agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

400,000

'

Borrowings under the term loan

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

546,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

Reduction in percentage of LIBOR floor rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate on term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The interest rate on borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities is equal to (i) a rate equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar rate for an interest period of one-month beginning on such day plus 100 basis points (subject to an ABR floor of 2.25% per annum), plus 4.25%; or (ii) the Eurodollar rate (subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.25% per annum), plus 5.25%, at the Company's option.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolver basis spread on variable rate, federal funds

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.25%

5.25%

'

'

Line of credit, floor rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

1.25%

'

'

Eurodollar rate for interest period

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Provision for prepayment of outstanding term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'0 to 50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of principal installment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

Proceeds of the incremental term loan were used to repay

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,800,000

'

Interest rate on term loan

'

'

'

7.30%

'

'

'

'

'

6.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Drawings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

469,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

488,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability of borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate for borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

Debt instrument, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

12.50%

12.50%

12.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of price of face value

'

'

'

'

'

97.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds

'

'

'

'

'

244,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

The net proceeds were reduced by an initial purchasers' discount

'

'

'

'

'

5,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum limit of dividends pay to NMH Holdings, LLC ("Parent")

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swap in a notional amount

'

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date of derivative instrument

'

'

30-Sep-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Base rate on interest rate swap instrument derivative

'

'

'3-month LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Margin on base rate (as a percent) for interest rate swap

'

'

1.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan rate as per the swap

'

'

2.55%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly payment received from counterparty

'Equal to the greater of 3-month LIBOR and 1.25% per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments on fixed rate

2.08%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of the interest rate swap

68,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable margin rate on Company's term loan

'

'

5.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of swap agreement before tax

'

3,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of swap agreement after tax

'

$1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Annu

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Annual Maturities of Company's Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$5,600
2015	5,600
2016	5,600
2017	529,725
2018	250,000
Thereafter	'
Total	$796,525

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 09, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock vote per share	'	'One vote per share	'	'
Repurchase equity accounted as dividends	'	$39,000	$75,000	$1,500,000
Repurchase of equity shares from employees - NMH Investment	'	39,000	75,000	1,500,000
Dividend payable date declared	'	9-Feb-11	'	'
Dividend paid to Parent	219,700,000	'	'	'
Dividends to Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividend declared to NMH Holdings Inc	219,700,000	'	'	'
Repurchase of NHM "Holdings notes"	'	210,900,000	'	'
Investment in NHM Holdings	'	$13,300,000	'	'

Employee_Savings_and_Retiremen1

Employee Savings and Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Retirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Profit sharing contribution vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Company contributions	$4	$4.20	$3.70
Cash surrender value of COLI policies	5.5	4	'
Senior Management [Member]	'	'	'
Retirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Company contributions	0.4	0.4	0.5
Accrued liability related to Executive Deferral Plan	2.6	2.2	'
Highly Compensated Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Retirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability related to Executive Deferral Plan	6.7	5	'
Employee contribution for Executive Deferral Plan	$0.90	$0.70	$1

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 09, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Contract termination, percentage of voting power of outstanding voting stock	'	20.00%	'	'
Management fees and expenses	'	$1,359,000	$1,325,000	$1,271,000
Class A common stock owned percentage	'	12.40%	'	'
Gain on sale of investment	3,000,000	'	'	3,018,000
Vestar Capital Partners [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Management fee percentage of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and management fee	1.00%	'	'	'
Management fees and expenses	'	1,400,000	1,300,000	1,300,000
Accrued liability related to management agreement	'	500,000	400,000	'
Vestar Capital Partners [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Annual management fee for certain advisory and consulting services payable	850,000	'	'	'
Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Management consulting fees	'	'	'	1,000,000
Duff & Phelps, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Management consulting fees	'	'	'	200,000
Lease Agreements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Related party lease expense	'	$1,600,000	$1,600,000	$3,700,000
Lease Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lease expiration date	'	31-Mar-18	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities	($3,165)	($5,638)
Quoted Market Prices (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities	-3,165	-5,638
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Amount of Debt Instrument (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes (issued February 9, 2011)	$242,997	$241,385
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes (issued February 9, 2011)	$268,750	$251,785

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 1995
Leases [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating lease expiry, year	'2027	'	'	'
Total rent expense	$54.30	$49	$47.70	'
Number of sale-leaseback transactions completed	'	2	'	'
Number of properties sold under sale-leaseback transactions	'	2	'	'
Net proceeds from two sale-leaseback transactions	'	2.8	'	'
Sale-leaseback transactions lease term	'	'Seven and ten years, respectively, each with two, five-year renewal options	'	'
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions completed	'	0.1	'	'
Sale-leaseback transactions amortization period expected	'	'12 months	'	'
Capital leases expiry, year	'2025	'	'	'
Assets acquired under capital leases	7.8	9.5	'	'
Accumulated amortization on capital leases	1.6	1.3	'	'
Amortization expense	0.7	0.7	0.4	'
Number of capital lease assets retired	2	'	'	'
Capital leases, net carrying value	1.3	'	'	'
Capital lease obligation	1.5	'	'	'
Gain on retirement of capital lease assets	0.2	'	'	'
Interest expense on capital leases	0.8	0.8	0.6	'
Office Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Leases [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating lease expiry, year	'2017	'	'	'
Total expected minimum lease commitment	5.8	'	'	2.4
Corporate office lease rent expense	$1.50	$1.50	$1.50	'
Operating lease agreement term	'	'	'	'5 years

Leases_Schedule_of_Future_Mini

Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payment for Noncancellable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$47,261
2015	38,046
2016	29,847
2017	24,335
2018	16,599
Thereafter	42,062
Total operating lease payment	$198,150

Leases_Schedule_of_Future_Mini1

Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$430
2015	451
2016	497
2017	549
2018	608
Thereafter	4,404
Total minimum lease payments	$6,939

Accruals_for_Self_Insurance_an

Accruals for Self - Insurance and Other Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2006	Oct. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate self-insurance for professional and general liability	$2,000,000	$28,000,000	'	$8,000,000	$0
Insured amount for professional and general liability, per claim	1,000,000	4,000,000	'	2,000,000	4,000,000
Per claim amount in excess of aggregate	'	'	'	500,000	'
Claim retention with statutory limit, Workers' compensation	'	'	350,000	'	'
Claim retention with statutory limit, automobile liability	'	'	100,000	'	'
Stop loss insurance coverage against extra ordinary claims	'	'	$300,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Benefit_for_Incom

Income Taxes - Benefit for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	'	($5,267)	$439
State	1,009	-11	1,358
Total current taxes payable	1,009	-5,278	1,797
Net deferred tax benefit	-10,481	-13,894	-16,480
Income tax benefit	($9,472)	($19,172)	($14,683)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income tax paid	$1,665,000	$441,000	$1,601,000
Valuation allowance	8,013,000	7,079,000	'
Net operating loss carryforwards for state purposes	'	150,600,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	0	'	4,857,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact favorably on effective tax rate	'	3,800,000	'
Interest and penalties	0	0	2,300,000
Federal Income Tax [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards for state purposes	15,300,000	16,100,000	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'2033	'2032	'
State Income Tax [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards for state purposes	$170,300,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration Period	'From 2014 through 2033	'From 2013 through 2032	'

Income_Taxes_Significant_Compo

Income Taxes - Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross deferred tax assets:	'	'
Deferred compensation	$1,155	$1,006
Interest rate swap agreements	1,253	2,280
Accrued workers' compensation	11,195	11,346
Net operating loss carryforwards	13,767	13,075
Allowance for bad debts	4,484	3,173
Tax credits	1,596	1,596
Other	2,245	2,717
Deferred tax assets, Gross	35,695	35,193
Valuation allowance	-8,013	-7,079
Deferred tax assets	27,682	28,114
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Depreciation	-2,200	-5,955
Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets	-87,953	-95,695
Other accrued liabilities	-2,340	-2,460
Net deferred tax liabilities	($64,811)	($75,996)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Be

Income Taxes - Reconciliation Between Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rates (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal income tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.60%	5.20%	2.20%
Nondeductible comp	-0.30%	-0.70%	-3.20%
Other nondeductible expenses	-0.20%	-1.10%	-1.40%
Credits	'	'	0.60%
Unrecognized tax benefit	'	16.30%	0.10%
Other	-0.30%	3.70%	-0.10%
Effective tax rate	37.80%	58.40%	33.20%

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	$4,857
Reduction due to effective settlement	'	-4,857
Ending Balance	$0	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment_Information_Performanc

Segment Information - Performance of Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net revenue	$1,198,653	$1,123,118	$1,062,773
Income (loss) from operations	53,324	47,585	34,485
Total assets	1,020,372	1,044,983	'
Depreciation and amortization	64,146	60,534	61,330
Purchases of property and equipment	31,901	29,995	20,878
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-25,044	-32,851	-44,200
Human Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net revenue	990,232	937,652	887,297
Income (loss) from operations	91,667	80,280	77,209
Total assets	655,140	692,015	'
Depreciation and amortization	45,812	43,368	44,070
Purchases of property and equipment	17,791	17,659	12,495
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	26,579	15,183	17,290
Post Acute Specialty Rehabilitation Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net revenue	208,421	185,466	175,476
Income (loss) from operations	17,293	20,376	18,434
Total assets	207,475	216,663	'
Depreciation and amortization	15,948	14,389	13,374
Purchases of property and equipment	10,491	10,218	6,909
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	3,893	7,798	7,012
Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-55,636	-53,071	-61,158
Total assets	157,757	136,305	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,386	2,777	3,886
Purchases of property and equipment	3,619	2,118	1,474
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	($55,516)	($55,832)	($68,502)

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Aug. 13, 2012

Aug. 13, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2008

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2008

Class G Common Units [Member]

Class H Common Units [Member]

Class F Non-voting Common Units [Member]

Class F Common Units Vested [Member]

Class F Common Units Vested [Member]

Class B Units [Member]

Class C Units [Member]

Class D Units [Member]

Class E Units [Member]

Expected to Vest on Date 18 Months Following Grant Date [Member]

Expected to Vest on Date 18 Months Following Grant Date [Member]

Expected to Vest on Date 36 Months Following Grant Date [Member]

Participants Continuously Employed [Member]

Participants Not Continuously Employed [Member]

Class F Common Units Vested [Member]

Class F Common Units Vested [Member]

Class F Common Units Vested [Member]

Participants Continuously Employed [Member]

Participants Not Continuously Employed [Member]

Participants Not Continuously Employed [Member]

Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of units authorized

'

'

'

'

130,000

1,200,000

5,396,388

'

'

192,500

202,000

388,881

6,375

'

'

'

Shares vested percentage

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Units vested upon grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

25.00%

25.00%

25.00%

Common Units vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'18 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Units vest on period after grant date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'36 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeiture rate

'

9.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

$0.30

$0.70

$3.70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense

'

$0.70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period

'

'1 year 11 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Fair Value of Units Issued (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate , minimum	0.21%	0.21%	'
Risk-free interest rate , maximum	0.27%	0.27%	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	'	0.68%
Expected term	'	'	'3 years
Expected volatility	40.00%	40.00%	50.00%
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Nonvested shares beginning balance	1,935,786
Granted	129,762
Forfeited	25,710
Vested	643,854
Nonvested shares ending balance	1,395,984
Nonvested balance at beginning of the year	$0.69
Granted	$0.79
Forfeited	$0.66
Vested	$0.97
Nonvested balance at ending of the year	$0.57

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Summary Information about Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Allowances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$9,250	$7,957	$7,225
Provision	18,286	12,902	11,670
Write-Offs	-15,042	-11,609	-10,938
Balance at End of Period	$12,494	$9,250	$7,957

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou3

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	$144,954,000	$153,991,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	7,500,000	'
Allowances for accounts receivable	$1,400,000	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) - Consolidated Statement of Operations Data for Eight Quarters (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$305,112	$304,335	$295,571	$293,635	$289,477	$283,703	$277,187	$272,751	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	430	-2,407	-5,246	-8,349	-4,734	-3,095	-830	-5,020	-15,572	-13,679	-29,517
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-46	-64	-2,589	-25	-526	113	-229	-59	-2,724	-701	-4,625
Net income (loss)	$384	($2,471)	($7,835)	($8,374)	($5,260)	($2,982)	($1,059)	($5,079)	($18,296)	($14,380)	($34,142)

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Oct. 11, 2013	Aug. 13, 2012	Oct. 11, 2013
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Class F Non-voting Common Units [Member]	Class F Non-voting Common Units [Member]	Class H Common Units [Member]	Class H Common Units [Member]
					Subsequent Event [Member]		Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of units authorized to grants to our President and Chief Operating Officer as per transition plan	'	'	'	5,396,388	100,000	1,200,000	100,000
Aggregate consideration for the acquisition	$9.30	$16.50	$1.40	'	'	'	'