Skip to content

Ellen Matsuda

Dr. Ellen Patricia Moore Matsuda was a regional-center quality-assurance and client-rights investigator and disability-services advocate born around 1951. She was the oldest of Bill and Dorothy Moore’s five children and the sister of Heather Moore, whose parents refused pressure to institutionalize her after her 1968 birth. Ellen later investigated abuse at Harmony House and served as its interim administrator during its transformation into Rosewood Community Home. She was married to educational psychologist Greg Matsuda, with whom she had four children.

Early Life and Family Background

Ellen grew up in a wealthy California family whose members pursued civil-rights, disability-rights, medical, educational, and legal work. Her younger siblings were Mark, Annie, Richard, and Heather. Heather had cerebral palsy and epilepsy; Bill and Dorothy raised her at home rather than following medical advice to institutionalize her. The decision became a defining event for the Moore family and shaped the justice-oriented careers of Heather’s older siblings.

Career

Main article: Ellen Matsuda (Career and Legacy)

Ellen completed a Bachelor of Arts at Stanford University before earning an MSW and a DSW in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. Her undergraduate major and the dates of her degrees have not been established.

In November 1994, Ellen was working as a quality-assurance and client-rights investigator for a California regional center when staff member Linda Reyes reported abuse and neglect at Harmony House. Ellen submitted her findings to the private nonprofit that operated the home. Its board or licensee terminated director Sharon Mitchell and appointed Ellen interim administrator through spring or summer 1995 while she took temporary leave or a formal secondment from her regional-center position.

Harmony House and Rosewood

Main article: Rosewood Community Home

Main article: Harmony House Investigation and Reform (1994–1995)

Ellen’s investigation included interviews with twelve residents, four staff members, and two visiting families. During her interim leadership, residents received direct contact information for state oversight and an explanation of their reporting rights. The facility introduced flexible routines, private phone access, improved furnishings, medical follow-up, and a daily rest period from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Behavioral incidents declined after the rest period and other reforms began.

Ellen also prepared grant applications for renovations and community programming and connected residents and their supporters with outside professional resources. She returned to her regional-center role after Linda Reyes became the permanent administrator in 1995 but remained available during the transition. Harmony House was renamed Rosewood Community Home in late 1995 or early 1996.

Marriage and Children

Main article: Ellen Matsuda and Greg Matsuda

Ellen met Greg at Stanford University in the early 1970s, and they married in the mid-to-late 1970s. Their children were Susan “Susie” Marie (born August 12, 1977), Cody Michael (born February 15, 1979), Patricia “Pattie” Alison (born November 3, 1982), and Joseph “Joey” William (born June 20, 1987).

After Cody’s 1995 suicide attempt and anoxic brain injury, Ellen and the rest of the family learned American Sign Language and supported his use of augmentative and alternative communication. The family also participated in his education outside traditional school.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters White Characters Matsuda Family Moore Family