About AdoptionARC
Bringing families together since 1994
We find homes for children regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or disabling condition; and to do so while respecting the highest legal and ethical standards.
We have many qualifications that set us apart from other adoption agencies. In fact, we have even been featured on The Today Show when we had the opportunity to present an adoptive family with their new child during National Adoption Month. Since 1994, we have been helping to facilitate the creation of families while supporting birth families in need.
Adoption ARC will use our expertise to assist you in choosing the right approved adoptive family for your baby.
Adoption Services for All Families of All Backgrounds
Our Adoption ARC program provides permanent and legal adoption for newborn infants with and without special needs, and we have successfully placed over 5,000 children. The children that we serve are of all races, religious backgrounds, and ethnicities.
Our agency is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware to provide excellent adoption services. We can also work outside of these states when legally permissible. We can offer both approved domestic and international families for you to choose from to select the best family for your baby.
Adoption ARC - Bringing families together since 1994
Adoption ARC was born in March 1994 in response to the 2,500 babies born in Philadelphia who needed permanent homes. In addition, 7,000 children in the Pennsylvania social service system needed homes as well.
Our Founder, Tara Gutterman, in addition to a start-up team which included Merle Guttterman, believed and still believe today in respect for all members of the adoption triad. Birth Parents play a crucial role in determining the best family for their babies.
Adoption ARC was licensed in August 1994 by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to combat these problems by providing adoption, temporary foster care and child welfare services in the state of Pennsylvania.
In July 1997, in response to the need to service a larger area, we received an adoption license from the state of New Jersey Division of Human Services. In 2006, we received our license from the state of Delaware. In 2008, and 2012, we received a Hague License to do Outgoing Adoptions from the United States. This license was updated in 2016 and again in 2020. It is valid through March 31, 2024.
Adoption Services Throughout the United States
ARC’s mission is to serve birth families, children, and adoptive families; to find safe, permanent homes for children regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or disabling condition; and to do so while respecting the highest legal and ethical standards.
We have many qualifications that set us apart from other adoption agencies. In fact, we have even been featured on The Today Show when we had the opportunity to present an adoptive family with their new child during National Adoption Month. Since 1994, we have been helping facilitate the creation of families and we can use our experience to help your baby receive the home he or she deserves.
Our Adoption ARC program provides permanent and legal adoption for newborn infants with and without special needs, and we have successfully placed over 1,200 children. The children that we serve are of all races, religious backgrounds, and ethnicities.
Our agency is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware to provide excellent adoption services. We can also work outside of these states when legally permissible. We can offer both approved domestic and international families for you to choose from to select the best family for your baby.
Meet the Adoption ARC Family
Meet the Adoption ARC Family
The goal of our birth parent adoption agency is to remain connected with the adoptive family because we believe that adoption is a lifelong process. We serve the entire community by providing a lifetime support system to individuals who are affected by adoption.
Meet Our Adoption Agents & Counselors
Tara Gutterman, Esquire
Founder of Adoption ARC
Merle Gutterman Parker, M.Ed., MS
Executive Director
Ashley Garrison, MSW, LSW
Social Work Supervisor
Selina Abriola, BA
Birth Parent Counselor
Our Mission and Promise to You
Honoring the Adoption Triad for Over 32 Years
Adoption ARC is a private, non-profit child welfare agency that specializes in placing children of all races and special needs into permanent homes. The agency is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, The Office of Licensing in Trenton, New Jersey and State of Delaware Division of Family Services
Adoption ARC was born in March 1994 in response to the 2,500 babies born in Philadelphia who needed permanent homes. In addition, 7,000 children languishing in the in the Pennsylvania social service system needed homes as well.
Our Founder, Tara Gutterman, in addition to a start-up team which included Merle Gutterman, believed and still believes today in respect for all members of the adoption triad. Birth Parents play a crucial role in determining the best family for their babies.
Adoption ARC was licensed in August 1994 by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to combat these problems by providing adoption, temporary foster care, and child welfare services in the state of Pennsylvania.
In July 1997, in response to the need to service a larger area, Adoption ARC received an adoption license from the New Jersey Division of Human Services. In 2006, the agency received their license from the state of Delaware. In 2008 and 2012, we received a Hague License to do outgoing adoptions from the United States. This license was updated in 2016 , 2000 and again in 2024 . It is valid through March 31, 2028.
Adoption Services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware
ARC’s mission is to serve birth families, children, and adoptive families; to find safe, permanent homes for children. Adoption ARC provides adoption, temporary foster care, and child welfare services to the tri-state area and beyond.
At Adoption ARC, we have been honoring the adoption triad for over 32 years and can take the necessary steps to help you overcome the challenges you are currently experiencing or will be facing. Our mission is to serve each member of the adoption triad in their individual endeavors. Whether you are a birth parent or adoptive parent, we are devoted to meeting the highest level of legal and ethical standards as we assist you.
Our Focus is the Interests of the Child
Every decision the Adoption ARC staff makes will have one thing in common: the best interests of the child. Adoption ARC is committed to placing infants and toddlers into permanent homes. Adoption ARC will assure that all children are placed with adoptive families who are equipped to preserve their cultural heritage and meet their special needs.
ARC has thus far placed approximately 5,000 infants , 10-15 percent of whom had special needs. Families from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and throughout the United States, Canada and Europe are eager and able to accept these babies permanently into their homes.
Hague Re-Accreditation
Our commitment to providing education and resources
Known as the Adoption Resource Center dba Adoption ARC, our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware adoption agency is committed to providing the information individuals need as they navigate their adoption planning. We have received accreditation from the Center For Excellence in Adoption Services (CEAS) , which is valid through March 31, 2028. You can trust in our adoption agency to assist you in matching each child with an appropriate family.
One of the factors of matching a child to a home is done through a home study process. The home study includes at least three in-home visits that are performed by a case worker. Another step included in this process is the review of references, background checks, and other relevant documents.
Our Mission and Promise to You
Honoring the Adoption Triad for Over 25 Years
Adoption ARC is a private, non-profit child welfare agency that specializes in placing children of all races and special needs into permanent homes. The agency is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the New Jersey Division of Human Services and the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families as well as the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity Inc.(IAAME). We provide adoption, temporary foster care, and child welfare services to the tri-state area and beyond.
At Adoption ARC, we have been honoring the adoption triad for over 25 years and can take the necessary steps to help you overcome the challenges you are currently experiencing or will be facing. Our mission is to serve each member of the adoption in their individual endeavors. Whether you are a birth parent or adoptive parent, we are devoted to meeting the highest level of legal and ethical standards as we assist you.
The Best Interest of the Child is Our Focus
Every decision the Adoption ARC staff makes will have one thing in common: the best interests of the child. Adoption ARC is committed to placing infants and toddlers into permanent homes. Adoption ARC will assure that all children are placed with adoptive families who are equipped to preserve their cultural heritage and meet their special needs.
ARC has thus far placed approximately 1200 infants , 15-20 percent of whom had special needs. Families from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and throughout the United States, Canada and Europe are eager and able to accept these babies permanently into their homes.
Hague Re-Accreditation
Our commitment to providing education and resources
Known as the Adoption Resource Center dba Adoption ARC, our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware birth parent adoption agency is committed to providing the information individuals need as they navigate their adoption planning. We have received accreditation from the International Adoption Accreditation Maintenance Entity (IAAEME), which is valid through March 31, 2024. You can trust in our adoption agency to assist you in matching each child with an appropriate family.
The process of matching a child to a home is done through a home study process. The home study includes at least three in-home visits that are performed by a case worker. Another step included in this process is the review of references, background checks, and other relevant documents.
The goal of our birth parent adoption agency is to remain connected with the adoptive family because we believe that adoption is a lifelong process.
We serve the entire community by providing a lifetime support system to individuals who are touched by adoption.
The goal of our birth parent adoption agency is to remain connected with the adoptive family because we believe that adoption is a lifelong process.
We serve the entire community by providing a lifetime support system to individuals who are touched by adoption.
The goal of our birth parent adoption agency is to remain connected with the adoptive family because we believe that adoption is a lifelong process.
We serve the entire community by providing a lifetime support system to individuals who are touched by adoption.
Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy or pursuing adoption?
Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy or pursuing adoption?
We are here to help you right now
We are here to help you right now
Contact us any time 24/7 to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time 24/7 to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time 24/7 to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Whether you are pursuing the adoption of a child, facing an unplanned pregnancy, or looking for an adoptive family for your child, Adoption ARC is here for you.
You can speak with an adoption counselor for free at any time, 24/7 to help you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of you, your family, and your child. Because we care deeply about bringing families together, the adoption process is completely free. Get in touch with us today to get started!
You can speak with an adoption counselor free of charge at any time, 24/7 to help you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of your child. Get in touch with us today to get started!
We are here to help you right now
We are here to help you right now
Contact us any time to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time to learn more and discuss all of your options.
Contact us any time 24/7 to learn more and discuss all of your options.
You can speak with an adoption counselor free of charge at any time, 24/7 to help you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of your child. Get in touch with us today to get started!
You can speak with an adoption counselor for free at any time, 24/7 to help you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of you, your family, and your child. Because we care deeply about bringing families together, the adoption process is completely free. Get in touch with us today to get started!
Tara Gutterman, Esquire is Adoption ARC’s founder. Previously, she served as Adoption ARC’s executive director from 1994-2009. She began her career as an attorney with the City of Philadelphia Law Department, where she handled hundreds of child abuse and neglect cases and many termination of parental rights hearings. Later, she worked for a private, nonprofit adoption agency in Philadelphia, encountering the range of issues she now confronts at Adoption ARC, while specializing in termination-of-parental-rights hearings and adoption finalization.
Merle is Adoption ARC’s Executive Director. She has worked informally with Adoption ARC since its inception in March 1994. Merle even designed the first Adoption ARC brochures and continues to help design the newsletters and other marketing materials. Merle received her Master of Education degree in Counseling Psychology in 2007 from Temple University and her Master of Science degree in Technical and Science Communication from Drexel University in 1996.
Ashley Garrison is the new Social Work Supervisor at Adoption ARC. She attended Widener University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2005 and her master’s degree in social work in 2008. She has 20 years of experience, working in both Public Child Welfare and the Private Adoption realm specializing in Open Adoption. She is a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania. 
Selina Abriola is the Birth Parent Counselor at Adoption ARC. She is a seasoned social worker with 10 years of experience in the human services field working with diverse populations. Selina attended Georgian Court University from 2013-2017 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Selina has always felt drawn to social work and knew she wanted to help people. As an adoptee herself Selina has great compassion and dedication to the individuals and families she works with. 
