WPCpS 8HYH9ޤǒ^88Y ҺJ |2~ik)mC$| rK4 UaZ<01(}`VY&O^ۑv*AF}4\@˗5B]p-G{ [zxv l/ypYHm{`޴gUŒ>PeAUuJ-*?nf'є7ʼnH=Il2? `yJ6ߨ/y 4Zp7%/lzN1|n׸XXbi^B>@ǀ:|Ϛb^  vsҸoMO4ϛ. 0v. 0`4/ 0`/ 0`/ 0`T0 0`0 081 0L1 022 0P2 0:L3 0Y3 0_3 0 >4 0jH5 06 B*68 D/`8 08 D/: 0B: 0-; 06; 01< B9= 0:V= 0= D54> D-i> 0K> 0^> AS??? 0X@ 0D@ A@A 0<A 1e'BU6BU>BU*Cj*C 0NCLC .E">E`JhJE+N\T1 (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman RegularJE1b014c23|x C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt U\\IB01S01\CLERK1NAS,,,,0< CSY_ekqw}Numbers 2Numbers1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 1.(;3$2#  0  .3  0  0EE79?EKS[ciout1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)a)i)04GIOU[cksy???????????1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)  R.$      5    _Tenn.CodeAnn.94604(Supp.2001)readsasfollows:    8 ` Nopersonshalldrawanymoneyfromthepublictreasuryuntilalldebts,dues,and 8 demandsowingbysuchpersontothestatearefirstliquidatedandpaidoff.The L commissioneroffinanceandadministrationshallnotissueanywarrantuponthe  treasuryinfavorofapersonindefaultuntilallofsuchpersons_arrearages_Ԁtothe  treasuryareauditedandpaid,otherwisethanbyallowingsuchdefaulteror H  delinquentcreditsontheamountsofsuchpersonsdelinquenciesforsuchsumor  \ sumsasmayatanytimebedueandowingtosuchpersonfromthetreasury.   Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofthissectiontothecontrary,thecommissioner    mayissuesuchawarrantuponthecommissionersdeterminationthatrefusingto X   issuesuchawarrantwouldresultinaninterruptionofessentialservices.(#$  0  *+ (_2623  ..*G+M (_25   /%` ` hp x /23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *D+M (_24   ," hp x ,23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *A+M (_23  ` ) hp x )23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *>+M (_22   &hhp x &23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *;+M (_21   #p x #23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *8+M (_20  h  p x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *5+M (_19   pp x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *2+M (_18    x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  * (_1723  Ԁ*GM (_16   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *DM (_15   ," hp x ,23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *AM (_14  ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *>M (_13   &hhp x &23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *;M (_12   #p x #23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *8M (_11  h  p x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  - -*5M (_10   pp x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  (2M &_9    x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  ( &_823  (GM &_7   /%` ` hp x /23   5+ ` hp x 5  (DM &_6   ," hp x ,23   5+ ` hp x 5  (AM &_5  ` ) hp x )23   5+ ` hp x 5  (>M &_4   &hhp x &23   5+ ` hp x 5  (;M &_3   #p x #23   5+ ` hp x 5  (8M &_2  h  p x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  (5M &_1   pp x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  &2M $_    x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  0.Normal<:Definition T<AA:Definition L , 5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 586Definition(''&H1      (&H2  (&H3  (&H4 XXX (&H5  (&H6  20Address8MM6Blockquote , , 5+ ` hp x 5   5+ ` hp x 5,*CITE,dl*CODEKd<6X9`(Courier NewKSe\  `&Times New RomanS42Emphasis64Hyperlink    <:FollowedHype    4go2Keyboard Kd<6X9`(Courier NewKSe\  `&Times New RomanS <:Preformatted/%  ,Kk %#/Kd<6X9`(Courier NewKSe\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/<:zBottom of 7O(X7  ?f%2A`Arial?  Se\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X7&  d dN)1dxd<:zTop of For7Q(X7  ?f%2A`Arial?  Se\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X7N)2dxd(|G2.$ !.8dd8         0  0KS.SampleKd<6X9`(Courier NewKSe\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterKd<6X9`(Courier NewKSe\  `&Times New RomanS d42Variable(|3$ !.8dd8     VVVV)!dxdx)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  : 8HTML MarkupB      ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3$ !.8dd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK2 0CommentB  '()*+,-/!35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.<6X9`(Courier New\  `&Times New Roman%2A`Arial<http://www.state.tn.us/youth/policies/chapter3.htm>(O$ B R.$      1    _Christopherwasplacedinfostercareshortlyafterhisbirth.Hisnaturalmotherhadahistoryofalcoholabuse  andhadtestedpositiveforcocainewhenthechildwasborn.SDU_7  R.$      3    _An adoptionassistanceagreement,asdefinedin42U.S.C.675(3)(2003),isasfollows:  e  8 ` [A]writtenagreement,bindingonthepartiestotheagreement,betweentheState 8 agency,otherrelevantagencies,andtheprospectiveadoptiveparentsofaminor L childwhichataminimum(A)specifiesthenatureandamountofanypayments,  services,andassistancetobeprovidedundersuchagreement,and(B)stipulates  thatthe#e#eagreementshallremainineffectregardlessoftheStateofwhichthe H  adoptiveparentsareresidentsatanygiventime.Theagreementshallcontain  \ provisionsfortheprotection(underaninterstatecompactapprovedbytheSecretary   orotherwise)oftheinterestsofthechildincaseswheretheadoptiveparentsand    childmovetoanotherStatewhiletheagreementiseffective.#e#X  ` x` x    R.$      2    _ChristopherreceivedTitleIIbenefits,alsoreferredtoas deathbenefits,pursuantto42U.S.C.404(d)(2)  (2003),whichprovides,inrelevantpart,asfollows: t   8 ` Ifanindividualdiesbeforeanypaymentduehimunderthis_subchapter_Ԁis L completed,paymentoftheamountdue(includingtheamountofany_unnegotiated_  checks)shallbemade...tothechildorchildren,ifany,ofthedeceasedindividual  whowere,forthemonthinwhichthedeceasedindividualdied,entitledtomonthly H  benefitsonthebasisofthesamewagesandselfemploymentincomeaswasthe  \ deceasedindividual... ; R.$      4    _SimilarlanguageiscontainedinseveralotherportionsoftheAdoptionServicesProceduresManual.Inthe  sectionentitled RecoveringAnAdoptionAssistanceOverpayment,oneoftherelevantcircumstancesiswhen the t adoptivefamilyreceivesduplicate[TitleII]/SSI/VAbenefitsandamonthlypaymentforthesameperiod.Innegotiating 8 thetypeandamountofadoptionassistance,themanualdirectscasemanagerstoexplainthefollowingtoadoptive L parents:    8 ` DCSexpectstheadoptivefamilytoapplyforandnotifyDCSofreceiptofother  availablebenefits(SSI/[TitleII]orotherbenefits)andthatthesebenefitsmayaffect H  theamountofAdoptionAssistancetheyreceive. \` x` x Themanualusestheword maybecauseundercertaincircumstances,apparentlynotpresentintheinstantcase,an    adoptiveparentcanseekrelieffromtheDCSpolicyprovidingthatotherbenefitsbedeductedinfullfromtherecipients X   adoptionassistancepayment. !.8dd8     _  8KXXdd8  @ INTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @kk$ATNASHVILLE# #Ԉ &   July8,2004Session L XKX #XXK#SARAHDICKv.COMMISSIONEROFTHETENNESSEE J DEPARTMENTOFCHILDRENSSERVICESXKX   ^ @@ AppealfromtheChanceryCourtforDavidsonCounty  ^ @@No.013822IICarolL.McCoy,Chancellor  J @@*AV) ` dE<` A   @@TTNo.M200301073_COA_ԄR3CVFiledOctober20,_2004_   AV) ` dE<` A      SarahDickfiledapetitioninthetrialcourtchallengingthedecisionoftheTennesseeDepartment  of_Childrens_ԀServices( DCS),pursuanttowhichDCSterminatedthemonthlyadoptionassistance x paymentsshehadbeenreceivingforheradoptedson,Christopher.ThedecisionbyDCSalsoseeks d torecoupbenefitspreviouslypaidtoMs.Dick,whichDCScontendswerepaidtoherinerror.Ms. P DickquestionsthedecisionofDCS,contendingthatthedepartmentspolicy!whichrequiresthat < adoptionassistancepaymentsbereducedintheeventtherecipientisalsoreceivingSocialSecurity (x TitleIIbenefits( TitleIIbenefits)!isinconsistentwiththefederalschemeestablishingthe d adoptionassistanceprogramforspecialneedschildren.ThetrialcourtaffirmedDCSsdecision. P Ms.Dickappeals.Weaffirm. <  Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheChanceryCourt  Affirmed;CaseRemanded      Ӏ#XK#XKX.CharlesD.Susano,Jr.,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichHerschelP.Franks,P.J.,  andD.MichaelSwiney,J.,joined. t  KevinW.Weaver,Cordova,Tennessee,fortheappellant,SarahDick. L"! PaulG.Summers,AttorneyGeneralandReporter;andJuanG._Villaseor_,fortheappellee, $$t# CommissioneroftheTennesseeDepartmentofChildrensServices. %` $     `     h      \-(- _ԇ   OPINION #XXK #XKX   #XXK #  XKX@)I.    PriortohisadoptionbyMs.Dick,Christopher,aspecialneedschild,hadbeenafosterchild t inMs.Dickshomesince1990.i #  1      ׀Whileinfostercare,ChristopherstartedreceivingTitleIIbenefitsm #  2       ` afterthedeathofhisnaturalfather.DCSwastherepresentativepayeeforthesepaymentsduringthe L  timethechildwasinfostercare. 8    Ms.DickfiledapetitiontoadoptChristopheronJune15,1998.Atthattime,aDCScase  ` manager,RuthHall,explainedtoMs.Dickthat,whiletheadoptionwaspending,shewouldbe  L  eligibletoreceivetwotypesofbenefitswhichwouldcontinueoncetheadoptionwasfinalized:  8  adoptionassistancepaymentsandTitleIIbenefits.However,Ms.Hallwentontoinformherthat $  thereceiptofTitleIIbenefitswouldimpacttheamountofhermonthlyadoptionassistance   payments.Consequently,ifMs.DickchosetoreceiveTitleIIbenefits,anyadoptionassistance   paymentswouldbereducedbytheamountofthosebenefits.WhileMs.Dickaskedforadditional   informationregardingthepolicy,suchinformationapparentlywasnotforthcoming.OnMay28,   1998,Ms.Dicksignedtheinitialadoptionassistanceapplicationandstartedtoreceiveadoption p assistancepayments.Shedidnotindicate,atthattime,thatsheintendedtoapplyforTitleII \ benefits. H   ChristophersadoptionwasfinalizedonFebruary19,1999.Thefollowingday,Ms.Dick  p contactedtheSocialSecurityAdministration( theSSA),appliedforanewSocialSecuritycardfor  \ heradoptedson,andcompletedthepaperworkrequiredtoreceivethelumpsumTitleIIbenefitsthat H werethenbeingheldforthechildbyDCS.InMarch,1999,DCSreceivedaletterfromtheSSA 4 informingthedepartmentthatChristophersTitleIIbenefitswouldbeforwardedtoanewpayee.   Apparently,DCSthenreturnedtotheSSAtheTitleIIbenefitsitwasholdingforChristopher,and   theSSA,inturn,forwardedthemtoMs.Dick.      SinceadoptionassistancepaymentsarenegotiatedbetweenDCSandtheadoptiveparenton  anannualbasis,Ms.Dickwasrequiredtosignnewagreementsin1999and2000.Inboth l instances,Ms.DickfailedtoreporttoDCSthatshewasreceivingTitleIIbenefitsonChristophers X  behalf.In2001,duringtherenewalprocess,Ms.Dickacknowledged,forthefirsttime,thatshewas D! receivingTitleIIbenefits.TheDCScasemanageradvisedMs.DickthatDCSpolicyrequiredthat  itadjustheradoptionassistancepaymentsandthattheoverpaymentwouldbecalculatedbacktothe  datethatMs.DickfirstreceivedTitleIIbenefits.WhenMs.Dickrefusedtofurnishinformation  regardingtheamountofTitleIIbenefitsshehadreceivedandwasreceiving,DCScancelledher t adoptionassistancepayments.ByletterdatedJune19,2001,DCSinformedMs.Dickthather ` adoptionassistancecasehadbeenclosedduetotheoverpaymentthathadresultedfromher L  concurrentreceiptofTitleIIbenefitsandadoptionassistancebenefits. 8    Ms.DickappealedDCSsterminationofheradoptionassistance.Ahearingwasconducted  ` onAugust15,2001.ThehearingofficerupheldtheterminationandorderedDCStotakestepsto  L  recovertheoverpaymentresultingfromMs.Dicksreceiptofbothbenefits.Theofficeralsodirected  8  thattheSSAbenotifiedofthedualpayments.Ms.Dickfiledapetitionforreconsiderationon $  September20,2001.Inaletterofdecisiondenyingherpetition,thehearingofficerfoundas   follows:     8 ` Ms.Dickknew,orcertainlyhadeveryopportunitytoknow,thatshe   couldnotreceiveboth[TitleII]benefitsandAdoptionAssistance p benefits.Yetsheintentionallywithheldthatinformationconcerning \ her[TitleIIbenefits].H` x` x FollowingtheentryofDCSsfinalorderonOctober11,2001,Ms.Dickfiledapetitionfor  p reconsiderationofthefinalorder,whichwasalsodenied.TheCommissionerofDCS( the  \ Commissioner)upheldtheorder,relyingupontheDCSpolicy.InhisopinionletterdatedOctober H 30,2001,theCommissionerwrote: 4   8 ` [DCSs]statedpolicyis,andhasbeenthroughoutthetimeframes   [sic]involvedwithMs.Dicksadoption,thatthereceiptof[TitleII  benefits]must beconsideredindeterminingtheamountofAdoption  AssistancepaymentsthatcanbemadeforaSpecialNeedschilds  adoption.Ms.Dickabsolutelyhadsufficientnoticeofthis l requirementandsimplychosetoignoreitinordertoreceive X  additionalmoniestowhichshewasnotentitledundertheestablished D! policiesandproceduresof[DCS].0" ` x` x (Emphasisinoriginal).Ms.DickfiledherpetitionforjudicialreviewonDecember,10,2001. $X" Followingahearing,thetrialcourtupheldthedecisionofDCSandorderedthatMs.Dickbe $D # requiredtorepaytoDCStheoverpaymentoccasionedbyherreceiptofthedualbenefits.Ms.Dick %0!$ appeals. &"% @)II. (#'   TheTennesseeUniformAdministrativeProceduresAct( theUAPA),codifiedintitle4, |*%) chapter5oftheTennesseeCode,prescribesthescopeofjudicialreviewofadministrativedecisions. h+&* TheUAPA#XXKw #XKXauthorizesareviewingcourtto affirmthedecisionoftheagencyorremandthecasefor  furtherproceedings,butthecourtsjurisdictionislimitedassetforthintheapplicablestatute:    8 ` Thecourtmayreverseormodifythedecisioniftherightsofthe t petitionerhavebeenprejudicedbecausetheadministrativefindings, ` inferences,conclusionsordecisionsare:L ` x` x   8 ` (1)Inviolationofconstitutionalorstatutoryprovisions;$ t` x` x   8 ` (2)Inexcessofthestatutoryauthorityoftheagency; `` x` x   8 ` (3)Madeuponunlawfulprocedure; L ` x` x   8 ` (4)Arbitraryorcapriciousorcharacterizedbyabuseofdiscretionor  8  clearlyunwarrantedexerciseofdiscretion;or$ ` x` x   8 ` (5)Unsupportedbyevidencewhichisbothsubstantialandmaterial   inlightoftheentirerecord. ` x` x  ( <3 (xXTenn.CodeAnn.45322(h)(Supp.2003).    (         Onceapartyhasexhaustedhisorheradministrativeremedies,heorshemayseekjudicial \ reviewinchancerycourt.Tenn.CodeAnn.45322(b)(1).Followingadecisionbythetrialcourt, H anaggrievedpartymayseekfurtherreviewbyappealtothiscourt.Tenn.CodeAnn.45323(a) 4 (1998).#XXK'#XKXԀThestandardsetforthintheUAPAgovernsthescopeofreviewforboththetrialcourtand  p thecourtofappeals.See Gluckv.CivilServ.Commn ,15S.W.3d486,490(Tenn.Ct.App.1999).  \ Inreviewingthedeterminationofafinaladministrativedecision,weareconfinedtotherecord. H Tenn.CodeAnn.45322(g).#XXK[/#XKX 4  X(x  Ms.Dickchallengesthedepartmentsfindingsontwobases.First,shecontendstheDCS   policythatprecludesanadoptiveparentfromconcurrentlyreceivingfullTitleIIbenefitsandfull  adoptionassistancepaymentsisinconsistentwithfederallawandpolicy,aswellasinconsistentwith  thebestinterestofthechild.Second,Ms.Dickarguesthatherrightshavebeenprejudicedbythe  factthatDCSsfindingsandconclusionsare arbitraryandunsupportedbyevidence,whichisboth l substantialandmaterialinlightoftheentirerecord.Wewilladdresseachcontentioninturn. X  @vv(III. 0"    CongressamendedtheSocialSecurityActin1980byenactingtheAdoptionAssistanceand $X" ChildWelfareAct( theAACW),codifiedin42U.S.C.670,etseq.TheAACWenablesstates $D # tofurnishadoptionassistancetoindividualswhoareintheprocessofadoptinganddothereafter %0!$ adoptchildrenwithspecialneeds.See42U.S.C.670(2003).Forastatetobeentitledtofederal &"% fundsappropriatedpursuanttotheAACW,thestatemustsubmitaplanforprovidingadoption '#& assistancethatmust,inturn,beapprovedbytheSecretaryoftheDepartmentofHealthandHuman (#' Services( theSecretary)priortothedisbursementofanyfunds.42U.S.C.671(a)(2003). )$(   |*%)   TheAACWenumeratesseveralprerequisitesforapproval.Theserequirementsinclude,   amongothers,theimplementationofsafeguardstoensuretheprotectionofinformationabout  individualsreceivingassistance;thefilingofreportsofphysicalorsexualabuse;theestablishment  ofafairhearingprocedurewhenaclaimforassistanceisdeniedornotacteduponinareasonably t promptmanner;andthedevelopmentofindividualcaseplans.42U.S.C.671(a)(8),(9),(12)& ` (16).Thestatesplanalsomustcontainprovisionsforperiodicreviewof amountspaidas... L  adoptionassistancetoassuretheircontinuingappropriateness.42U.S.C.671(a)(11).Oncethe 8  planisapproved,thestatemayproceedtoenterintoadoptionassistanceagreementsk #  3      ׀pursuantto $ t whichthestatefurnishespaymentstoindividualsadoptingspecialneedschildren.42U.S.C.  ` 673(a)(1)(A)&(B).Theamountofanindividualspaymentisdeterminedbyanagreementbetween  L  theadoptiveparentandthestateorlocalagency,andissetaccordingtotheneedsofthechildand  8  thecircumstancesoftheadoptiveparents.42U.S.C.673(a)(3).Theagreementmaybealteredby $  changesincircumstances,anditisincumbentuponanadoptiveparenttoinformthestateagencyof   suchchanges. Id. Thestatuteprovides,inrelevantpart,asfollows:      8 ` Parentswhohavebeenreceivingadoptionassistancepaymentsunder   thissectionshallkeeptheStateorlocalagencyadministeringthe p programunderthissectioninformedofcircumstanceswhichwould, \ pursuanttothissubsection,makethemineligibleforsuchassistance H payments,oreligibleforassistancepaymentsinadifferentamount.4` x` x 42U.S.C.673(a)(4)(emphasisadded).  \   Pursuanttothefederalmandate,theTennesseelegislaturehasvestedDCSwiththedutyto 4 administertheadoptionassistanceprogramandimposeduponittheobligationtopromulgaterules   andregulationsrelativetotheprovidingofassistancetoadoptiveparentsofchildrenwithspecial   needs.Tenn.CodeAnn.375106(12)&(13)(Supp.2003).TheCommissionerhasadopted  policiesrelevanttotheprogramwhichdelineate(1)thedefinitionofspecialneeds,(2)thedutyof  casemanagerstoinformprospectiveadoptiveparentsoftheavailabilityofadoptionassistance,and  (3)theservicesavailableforspecialneedschildren.SeeDCS,DepartmentalPolicies,Adoption l Services,availableat(lastvisitedOct.5,2004). X  SeveralpoliciesoutlinedintheAdoptionsServicesProceduresManualofAugust,2001,addressthe D! mannerinwhichanadoptionassistancepaymentistobecalculated.Withrespecttothematter  beforethiscourt,onesectionofthemanualinstructsthat [w]hentheadoptiveparentsbecomethe  payeeforthe[TitleII/VA/other]benefits,decreasethemonthlyadoptionassistancepaymentbythe  amountofthe[TitleII]/VA/otherbenefits.n #  4      ׀Inlinewiththispolicy,theadoptionassistance t agreemententeredintobytheadoptiveparentsandDCSrequiresthat [t]headoptiveparent(s)will ` notifytheagencyimmediatelyuponbeingmadepayeeforSSI,[TitleII]orVAbenefitsonbehalf L  ofthechildaswellasanychangesintheamountofsaidbenefits.Withregardtooverpaymentof 8  adoptionassistancebenefitsbyDCS,theCommissioneradoptedPolicy3.2(seeDCS,Departmental $ t Policies,FiscalManagement),#XXK-1#XKXwhichreadsasfollows:  `   8 ` Overpaymentsbythedepartmenthavebeenmadetoadoptive  8  assistanceparentsandtofosterparentswholaterbecomeadoptive $  assistanceparents.[Tenn.CodeAnn.]94604  #  5      ׀obligates[DCS]to   deductfromamountswhichareorshallbecomedueandpayableto   adoptiveassistanceparentsunderanycontractbetweentheadoptive   assistanceparentsandtheStateofTennesseeanyamountswhichare   dueandpayabletotheStateofTennesseebytheadoptiveassistance p parents.\` x` x <4g hO  5  http://www.state.tn.us/youth/policies/chapter3.htm>ZM6 MhOM  7 bMMԀ(lastvisitedOct.5,2004).TheDCSpolicy 4 doesnotprohibittheconcurrentreceiptofotherbenefitsandadoptionassistancepaymentssolong  p astheadoptionassistancepaymentsarereducedbytheamountoftheotherbenefitsreceived.The  DCSpolicyisclearthatiftheotherbenefitsexceedtheadoptionassistancepayments,DCSis  entitledtorecoupadoptionassistancebenefitspaidtoanadoptiveparent.  #XXKI#XKX  InrefutingMs.DickscontentionthatthepolicyofDCSprecludingthereceiptofduplicative ` benefitsisinconsistentwithfederallaw,thetrialcourtreliedonaprovisionofthefederalstatutethat L  limitstheamountofadoptionassistancepaymentssothattheymaynot exceedthefostercare 8  maintenancepaymentwhichwouldhavebeenpaidduringtheperiodifthechildwithrespectto $ t whomtheadoptionassistancepaymentismadehadbeeninafosterfamilyhome.42U.S.C.  ` 673(a)(3).Asafosterparent,Ms.DickreceivedbenefitsfurnishedbyDCS,andDCS,asthe  L  representativepayee,receivedtheTitleIIbenefits.Consequently,thecourtheldthatMs.Dickwas  8  notentitledtoretainboth,astheirsumtotalwouldexceedtheamountofassistanceshereceivedas $  afosterparent.Onappeal,#XXK6P#XKXMs.Dickarguesthatthetrialcourtsinterpretationandapplicationof   thisprovisionwasinerror,asMs.Dickwasnotreceivingmoreinadoptionassistancepaymentsthan   shedidasafosterparent.Therefore,accordingtoMs.Dick,thetrialcourtmisinterpretedand   misappliedtheprovisionbyeffectivelyclassifyingChristophersTitleIIbenefitsasatypeof   adoptionassistance.DCS,initsbrief,takesthepositionthatthetrialcourtcorrectlystatedthelaw; p butitacknowledgesthatthelawrelieduponbythetrialcourtisnotimplicatedbythefactsofthis \ case.DCSproffers,however,thatitsdecisionshouldbeupheld,notbecausethecombination H exceededthatwhichMs.Dickreceivedasafosterparent,butratherbecausetheDCSpolicythatan 4 overpaymentoccurswhenthereisconcurrentreceiptofTitleIIbenefitsandadoptionassistance  p paymentsisconsistentwithfederallawandpolicy.  \   WeagreewithDCSthatthelawrelieduponbythetrialcourtisnotimplicatedbythefacts 4 ofthiscase.Accordingly,weconcludethatthetrialcourtsconclusionsunderlyingitsdecisionare   incorrect.However,thisdoesnotendourinquiry. Our[c]ourtshaveheldthatacorrectjudgement   ofatrialcourtshouldnotbereversedonappealmerelybecauseitwasbaseduponaninsufficient  orwrongreason. Kellyv.Kelly ,679S.W.2d458,460(Tenn.Ct.App.1984)(citationsomitted).  Therefore,wenowfocusourattentiononDCSsargumentthattheresultreachedbythetrialcourt  iscorrectbecauseMs.DickwasreceivingduplicativebenefitscontrarytoDCSpolicy,apolicy l which,accordingtoDCS,isconsistentwithfederallaw.Ifitis,thenwecanaffirmthetrialcourts X  judgmenteventhoughthereasoningunderlyingthatjudgmentisfaulty. D!   Ms.DickrefersustotheprovisionsintheAACWprohibitingtheuseofameanstestin #l! calculatingtheamountofadoptionassistance.I#XXK[T#XKXnsupportofherargument,Ms.Dickcitestoapolicy $X" announcementissuedbytheCommissioneroftheAdministrationonChildren,YouthandFamilies $D # oftheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,thepurposeofwhichwastoprovide %0!$  comprehensiveguidelinesforStatestouseindeterminingachildseligibilityfortitleIVE &"% adoptionassistance.Withregardtodeterminingtheamountofadoptionassistancepayments,the '#& announcementprovidesasfollows: (#'   8 ` Theuseofameanstestisprohibitedintheprocessofselectinga |*%) suitableadoptivefamily,orinnegotiatinganadoptionassistance h+&* agreement,includingtheamountoftheadoptionassistancepayment.  Onceachildhasbeendeterminedeligibleunder[42U.S.C.673],  adoptiveparentscannotberejectedforadoptionassistanceorhave  paymentsreducedwithouttheiragreementbecauseoftheirincomeor t otherresources.`` x` x (Footnoteomitted).Ms.Dickreliesonthefederalprohibitionagainstusingameanstestin 8  negotiatinganadoptionassistanceagreementtoarguethatTitl#XXK]#XKXeIIbenefitsshouldnotbeconsidered $ t incalculatingtheamountofthemonthlyadoptionassistancepayments.#XXKc#XKXԀMs.Dickevensuggeststhat  ` theDCSpolicysupportstheideathatTitleIIbenefitsarenottobecalculatedinthemonthlystipend,  L  citingDCSsAdoptionServicesProceduresManualofAugust,2001,whichstatesasfollows:  8    8 ` Afterfinalizationoftheadoption,ifthechildreceives[TitleII]/VA   benefitsasaresultoftheadoptiveparentscircumstances(disability,   age),considerthesebenefitsastheadoptivefamilysincome.These   benefitsarenotconsideredwhennegotiatingmonthlypayment.#XXKQd#XKX ` x` x Ms.Dicksargumentonthispointiswithoutmerit.Theprovisioncitedreferstobenefitsasaresult \ ofthe adoptiveparentscircumstances.(Emphasisadded).Aseparateprovisioninthesame H sectionofthemanualprovidesthatwithrespecttoTitleII/VAorotherbenefits, [w]henthe 4 adoptiveparentsbecomethepayeeforthebenefits,decreasethemonthlyadoptionassistance  p paymentbytheamountofthe[TitleII]/VA/otherbenefits.WeconcludefromthisthattheDCS  \ policyprovidesthatanadoptiveparentsadoptionassistancepaymentshouldbereducedbythe H amountofTitleIIbenefitsbeingpaidtotheadoptiveparentonaccountofthespecialneedschild. 4   Therearenoprovisionsinthefederalstatutoryschemeexpresslyaddressingtheconcurrent   receiptofadoptionassistancepaymentsandTitleIIbenefits,norarethereanyprovisionsrelative  tooverpayments.See Baerv.Commr,MaineDept.ofHumanServs. ,738A.2d849,851n.3(Me.  1999).Ofthenumerousrequirementsimposeduponthestatesindevelopingtheirplans,see42  U.S.C.671(a),andtheprovisionsrelatingtoimplementationoftheplan,see42U.S.C.673,the l statutesaresilentastothemannerbywhichastatemayrecoupanoverpayment.Onceastate X  implementsaplanforfurnishingassistancetoadoptiveparentsofspecialneedschildren,thatplan D! issubsequentlyapprovedbytheSecretary.See42U.S.C.671(b).Sincedisbursementofthefunds 0"  isconditioneduponapprovalofthestatesplan,wherethefederalgovernmenthasconsistently #l! subsidizedthestateadoptionassistanceprogram,itcanbesaidthatthestateprogramhasthe $X"  imprimaturofthefederalgovernment. Glanowskiv.NewYorkStateDept.ofFamilyAssistance , $D # 225F.Supp.2d292,302(W.D.N.Y.2002). %0!$   ThereisnothingbeforeustosuggestthattheDCSpolicyhaseverfailedtomeetthe '#& Secretarysapproval.Astherearenofederalprovisionsexpressly,orbyclearimplication, (#' forbiddingtheDCSpolicyunderdiscussion,itappearstousthatthesubjectpolicyisentirely )$( consistentwiththeAACW.Statesaregrantedwidediscretiontodevelopandimplementplans |*%) undertheAACW. Id. (citing42U.S.C.671).Consequently,wedonotfindthatthedecisionof h+&* DCStoterminateMs.Dicksadoptionassistancebenefitsoritsdecisiontorecoupbenefitstobe   [i]nviolationofconstitutionalorstatutoryprovisions.SeeTenn.CodeAnn.45322(h)(1).  #XXK#g#XKX  Infurthersupportofourholding,werelyuponacasethataddressesoverpaymentsinthe t contextoftheStateofMainesregulatoryschemeforimplementingtheAACW.See Baer ,738A.2d ` at850.In Baer ,theadoptiveparentappliedforSocialSecuritybenefitsforheradoptedchild,and L  subsequentlyreceivedaretroactivecheck. Id. Consequently,theMaineDepartmentofHuman 8  Servicessoughtreimbursementforoverpaymentofadoptionassistance. Id. DespiteBaers $ t argumentthatthedepartmentdidnothavetheauthoritytorecoupoverpayments,thecourtheldthat  ` theagreemententeredintobyBaerandthedepartmentwasunambiguousinprovidingthatthe  L  amountofadoptionassistancewouldbereducedbyanySocialSecuritybenefitsreceivedbyBaer  8  onbehalfofheradoptedson. Id. at851.WheretheSocialSecuritybenefitsexceededtheamount $  ofadoptionassistance,thedepartmentwaspermittedtoenforcethecontractandcollectthe   overpayment. Id. Similarly,wherethecontractthatMs.Dicksignedclearlystatedthattheparent   wasobligatedtoreportthereceiptofbenefitsonbehalfofChristopher,andshehadbeenpreviously   apprisedofthepolicyprecludingreceiptofduplicativepayments,DCSwasentitledtoenforcethe   contractandseekrepayment. p @ll)IV. H   Ms.DickalsochallengesthefactualbasisofDCSsdecisionasbeing [u]nsupportedby  p evidencewhichisbothsubstantialandmaterialinlightoftheentirerecord.Tenn.CodeAnn.4  \ 5322(h)(5).Inreviewingthefactualbasisofanagencysdecision,weareonceagainsubjecttothe H confinesoftheUAPA,whichprescribesthatthereviewingcourt#XXKs#eeXKXe shalltakeintoaccountwhatever 4 intherecordfairlydetractsfromitsweight,butthecourtshallnotsubstituteitsjudgmentforthat   oftheagencyastotheweightof% j #eXeXK|##ep|#%j}eeXKXetheevidenceonquestionsoffact.Tenn.Code.Ann45322(h).   Inlightofthislimitedstandardofreview, [c]ourtsmayrejectanadministrativeagencysfactual  findingsonlyifareasonablepersonwouldnecessarilydrawadifferentconclusionfromtherecord.   Martinv.Sizemore ,78S.W.3d249,276(Tenn.Ct.App.2001)(citing Jonesv.Greene ,946S.W.2d  817,828(Tenn.Ct.App.1996)). l #eXeXK~##e}#I  XKX  Ms.Dickconcedesthatatthetimeshepetitionedforadoption,Ms.Hall,herDCScase D! manager,informedherthatshecouldnotreceivebothadoptionassistanceandTitleIIbenefits. 0"  However,Ms.DicktendersamyriadofreasonstojustifyherfailuretoinformDCSthatshewas #l! receivingTitleIIbenefitsinadditiontoadoptionassistance.Amongthosereasons,Ms.Dick $X" contendsthatalthoughthepolicywasmentionedtoher,noonewasabletoexplainthepolicyin $D # detail;thatMs.Hallwasthefourthcasemanagertowhomshehadbeenassigned,andnoprevious %0!$ casemanagerhadinformedherofthepolicy;thatnowrittenpolicieswereeverfurnisheddespiteMs. &"% Dicksnumerousrequests;thatitwasincumbentupontheadoptionassistancedesignees,whowere '#& assignedtoupdate,verifyandapproveherannualadoptionassistanceagreements,tomonitorthe (#' distributionofTitleIIbenefits;andthattheSSAnotifiedDCSthatanotherpayeehadbeennamed, )$( thereby,accordingtoMs.Dick,demonstratingthatDCSwasalreadyawareofherreceiptofTitle |*%) IIbenefitsfromtheSSA.   h  h+&* Ї  IntheCommissionersorderdenyingMs.Dickspetitionforreconsideration,hestatedas  follows:    8 ` Ms.Dickintentionallyfailedtonotify[DCS]thatshehadbegun t receiving[TitleIIbenefits]forheradoptedchild.Therequirement ` toreportthiseventwascontainedineveryAdoptionAssistance L  AgreementthatMs.Dicksigned.Herexcusethatsheneverhadtime 8  toreadandunderstandanycopyofthisextremelyimportant $ t documentisabsolutelywithoutmerit. `` x` x Thetrialcourtfound substantialandmaterialevidencetosupport[DCSs]terminationofthe  8  adoptionassistancebenefits.Weagree.Ms.Dicksconductbeliesherargument.Asrequiredfor $  receiptofadoptionassistance,Ms.DickenteredintoagreementswithDCSin1998,1999,2000and   2001.Thoseagreementsunequivocallystatethat [t]headoptiveparent(s)willnotifytheagency   immediatelyuponbeingmadepayeeforSSI,[TitleII]orVAbenefitsonbehalfofthechildaswell   asanychangesintheamountofsaidbenefits.TheagreementsalsoindicatethatDCSmay   terminatetheagreementifit determinesthatthefamilyfailstocompletein[sic]therenewalprocess p foradoptionassistance.WefindtherewassubstantialandmaterialevidencetosupportDCSs \ terminationofbenefitsanditsattempttorecouptheoverpaymentfromMs.Dick.AlthoughMs. H DickmaynothavebeenwellinformedoftheintricaciesoftheDCSpolicy,shewasadvisedthatshe 4 wasnotpermittedtoreceivebothadoptionassistancepaymentsandTitleIIbenefitsonbehalfof  p Christopher,andshesignedmultipleagreementsacknowledgingtheexistenceofthispolicy.She  \ cannotnowclaimthatshemisunderstoodthepolicyorthatitwasincumbentupontheDCScase H managerstostopherfromreceivingdualpayments.Itisclear(1)thattheagreementsbetweenMs. 4 DickandDCSarebindingcontracts,see42U.S.C.675(3),and(2)thatMs.Dickmaynotbe   excusedfromherobligationsbaseduponherpresentassertionthatshedidnotfullycomprehendthe   relevantpolicy.Asonecourtstated,    8 ` [i]twillnotdoforamantoenterintoacontract,and,whencalled  upontorespondtoitsobligations,tosaythathedidnotreaditwhen l hesignedit,ordidnotknowwhatitcontained...Acontractormust X  standbythewordsofhiscontract;and,ifhewillnotreadwhathe D! signs,healoneisresponsibleforhisomission.0" ` x` x  DeFordv.NatlLife&AccidentIns.Co. ,185S.W.2d617,621(Tenn.1945)(quoting Uptonv. $X" Tribilcock ,91U.S.45,50,23L.Ed.203(1875)).ItispresumedthatMs.Dickreadthecontract $D # whenshesigneditandcomprehendedherobligationtoreportthatshewasreceivingTitleIIbenefits %0!$ onbehalfofChristopher.Consequently,theevidencecontainedintherecordwassubstantialand &"% materialandsupportsDCSsdecision. '#&   )$( @)V.  eXKXXXK  Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmed.Costsonappealaretaxedtotheappellant,Sarah  Dick.Thiscaseisremandedtothetrialcourtforsuchfurtherproceedings,ifany,asmaybe t required,andforcollectionofcostsassessedbelow,allpursuanttoapplicablelaw. #XKXXeXK# `    `     h     _______________________________  `    `     h     CHARLESD.SUSANO,JR.,JUDGE#XXKր#À