Special Student Services is regulated by the federal government under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Public Law (PL) 94-142, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), PL 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, and 34 CFR Parts 300 & 301. To assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in interpreting these laws, federal regulations were developed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.  The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) then developed state regulations to further define the expectations of the law.

The SSS Department receives federal and state funding based on the total amount of the delivery of service required for each individual student throughout the district.  An IDEA Advisory Panel, consisting of 50% parents of students with disabilities, provides input into the expending of federal IDEA funds. All supplemental state funds are added to the operational budget to pay salaries and benefits.  All expenditures follow both the NM Procurement Code and district policies.